A BYTE OF LIFE Friday, January 16, 2009

10 03
DEEPIKA SECOND BEST The Angel of God
thanks to that wily fox Akshay Kumar HR professional releases her fourth book
in the city today
FREE CIRCULATION Vol. 3 No. 9

PHOTO: PRABHAKARAN SAMBANDAM

take a
HIKE
Ergo’s pick of
lesser-known
weekend
destinations.

» PAGES 4 & 5
02 ERGO Friday, January 16, 2009

Lights on

Namma Chennai
Now, say goodbye to power cuts. BPL in
association with Sankara Netralaya has launched
rechargeable study lamps called ‘StudyLite’. The
built-in rechargeable back-up promises to provide
light for up to six hours without the main power.

Music

Sale
Talent scout
The Channel V ‘Launch Pad 111’
is back looking for the hottest
For the girl sound of 2009 in a nationwide
search. Bands with distinct
personality, diverse language or
in you
Tanishq has unveiled their new
even a new sound can battle it
out on the all new season. The
competition begins in the end of
line of gold jewellery
January, wherein 20 short-listed
collection ‘Blush for the girl in
bands will perform every week
you’. This light-weight gold
live at Blue Frog, Mumbai.
collection is designed for
Rush in your enteries to
young working women and
v.bigadda.com
comes in attractive shapes and
designs. These are priced from
Rs. 5,000 and available at all
Tanishq stores.
Getaway

Theatre

Being earnest
It’s theatre time, folks. Evam presents ‘The Importance of being
Earnest’, which it terms “trivial comedy for serious people.” The plays
will be staged at Chinmaya Heritage Centre on January 16 (7.30 p.m.)
and January 17 (3.30 p.m. and 7.30 p.m.). For tickets call 98402 22363/
99404 38669.
Just chill
GRT Temple Bay has an exclusive winter package, where one could stay
for three days and two nights by paying Rs. 22, 222. A chalet room on
twin sharing basis with buffet breakfast, plenty of activity cum health
club voucher... there is lot more. The offer is valid till March 31.
For reservations call 2744 3636.
Book launch

Where are you

Entertainment
going, you
Abracadabra monkey?
Magic is up their sleeve. In the Blaft Publications will play host to
city are two groups promising the launch of the book, ‘Where are
to entertain you. Jadukar you going, you monkey?’ by Ki
Karan and the P.C. Sorcar Rajanarayanan. The book has
magic show are being held at folktales from Tamil Nadu, and will
Kalaivanar Arangam and Rani be launched today at the Chennai
Seethai Hall respectively. For Book Fair Grounds, St. George’s
details call 98841 52200/ 99410 Anglo-Indian Hr. Sec. School, Opp.
18686. Pachayappas College at 4 p.m.
 Friday, January 16, 2009
Theme nights
Paprika, the all-day diner at Courtyard by Marriott, has
introduced delectable food-based theme nights. Enticing Tuesday
with Italian food, seafood Wednesday, Just for Women on
Thursday, regional specialities on Friday, each promise to be a
culinary treat. The buffet is open from 7.30 p.m.
Writer’s stock With four books
already in Jyothi
Menon’s kitty
and three more
getting ready for
release this year,
a full-time career
in writing is
not far in
sight for this
HR professional
LIFFY THOMAS
liffythomas@goergo.in
A
jet-setting life – first as a
dutiful wife and mother,
then as senior vice-presi-
PHOTO: R. RAVINDRAN
dent of HR shared services
centre of Scope International,
where she heads a team of around
360 people. A well-maintained
blog, www.jyothimenon.in, with
writings on 17 categories. Plus,
three books to her credit – The
Power of Human Relations, Brand
Wise and Me! A Winner.
It is amazing how some find
time to delve into one’s passion
amidst the many responsibilities.
This evening will go as another
special day in Jyothi Menon’s ca-
reer as writer. Her fourth book
(and first work of fiction), The An-
gel of God, will be released in the
city. But, that’s just the beginning
for this HR professional. Three
more titles from her stable will be
out on stands this year.
Ergo caught up with Jyothi Me-
non, or Jyo as she is popularly
called, for a friendly tête-à-tête to
listen to her talk about juggling
roles.
The writer in me: Writing has
always been part of me. My dad’s
globe-trotting profession took me
to six different schools and places,
and Bengali was my first language
– all this has widened my hori-
zons. It was the same love to work
with people that made me switch
from an Engineering background
to human relations. Post-mar-
riage, getting Bobby Menon as
partner was like “the man behind
03
the woman”. He encouraged me
to paint my canvas. And today it is
the same love to work with differ-
ent people that has made me get
into fiction writing too.
About Angel of God: There are
many books on leadership in the
market and nobody will read one
more authored by Jyothi Menon.
Writing The Angel of God was like
painting a canvas. Every time I
wrote a chapter, I wanted to add
something more, edit some lines...
It took us seven years to complete
the book, more because of the
many breaks we had to take from
work. But it is special as Bobby
and I wrote it together. It has in-
cidents brought together by the
two of us. We take readers on a
tour around multiple geographies
– Mumbai, Kerala, Libya and the
Middle East.
My mummy strongest: Writing
a book is like giving birth to a
child. There it is nine months;
here it took me seven years be-
cause of the gaps I took. I manage
my time well. Pooja (my daughter)
is off to sleep by 10 p.m. and it’s
when I open my canvas. Pooja
loves to paint, so these days I have
started dabbling with colours, too.
Three more to go: My next work
is based around a gold fish. It is a
bed-time book. Also, there will be
two more books on self-develop-
ment, which will be released in
2009. Later this year, The Angel of
God will travel to the London Book
Fair. ■
(The book will be released today
at GRT Convention Centre at 7 p.m.)
04 ERGO Friday, January 16, 2009

Big Story
The roads less travelled,
It’s another extended weekend next week and if you are bored staying indoors or visiting the same old places, here’s
Ergo’s pick of lesser-known weekend getaways. Go there, come back and tell us if they’re worth the recommendation

TREKKER’S ZONE
Place: Alamparai Fort
How to get there: It lies near Kadapakkam,
a village 50 km from Mamallapuram on the
land overlooking the Bay of Bengal. The fort
can be reached by driving down the East
Coast Road, about 100 kms from Chennai
and 50 kms from Puducherry. Start early in
the morning as it is a pleasant drive along the
ECR.
Why the place holds good: If you wish to
have a scenic view of the sea and backwaters
from the great heights and enjoy an adven-
turous trek, the Alamparai Fort is the place to
visit.
The Alamparai Fort, also called Alampara,
was constructed during the Mughal era and
it had a 100-metre-long dockyard stretching
into the sea. It was destroyed by the British in
1760 and further got damaged following the
2004 tsunami. Local fishermen assist tourists
in a pleasurable boating experience around
the fort.
Best time to get there: October to Decem-
ber
What you can do: Boating and trekking

VIEW FROM THE TOP

Place: Amrithi Forest
How to get there: This is 25 km from Vellore. It
should take you around three hours to reach there
by road. You need to take left from the Golden
Temple.
Why the place holds good: Some places main-
tain their charm as they are not frequented by
many. Amrithi Forest is blessed with a tribal land-
scape, sandalwood forest, small zoo... making it a
must-visit place for the adventure seekers. Be-
sides, the forest is rich with flora and fauna. The
Amirthi Zoological Park is located below the Java-
du Hills, where you can do animal and bird spot-
ting.
What you can do: Its picturesque location
makes it a perfect place for trekking. You could
check up with the Forest Department as they con-
duct treks. There is a tractor ride organised some-
times. For those seeking some spiritual bliss, the
famous Padavedu temple is close by.
Check http:ecologin.ning.com for some more
pictures.
 Friday, January 16, 2009
05
Backpack
During ancient times, the backpack
was used as a means to carry the
hunter’s larger game and other types
of prey as a way of easier transport.

quite literally
ALL IN ONE

Place: Pulicat Lake

How to get there: This lake flows along the Tamil Nadu-Andhra Pradesh border, along the Coromandel
Coast. On the National Highway 5 from Chennai, drive northward toward Nellore, then turn right after the
toll gate on Thatchoor Kootu Road to Ponneri village. The straight drive takes you to Pulicat village.
Why the place holds good: Pulicat Lake, which is the country’s second largest brackish water lagoon, is
preserved as a wildlife sanctuary and is paradise for bird lovers.
Its history dates back to the 13th century when the Arabs were the first to land here and then followed
by the Portuguese and Dutch. The Pulicat Lake Bird Sanctuary boasts of various species of birds.
One can explore the Dutch cemetery, which has 76 tombs, mausoleums; visit the dilapidated masonry
houses once occupied by ethnic Arabian Muslims and also trek to the ruined Dutch fort. But when it
comes to food, one has to carry their own provisions as there are hardly any restaurants or resorts around.
Best time to get there: October and March. Thousands of birds migrate to the lake at this time of the
year.
What you can do: Fishing, boat riding, bird watching, trekking to the ruined Dutch Fort and shopping
for handicrafts made of Palmyra leaves in the local market.
The Dutch Cemetery. PHOTO: DEEPAK GUPTA

SAY CHEERS Place: Tranquebar

How to get there: This getaway is 35 km north of Nagapattinam on the Pondicherry-Chidambaram
highway, which has frequent bus services. Buses to Chidambaram from Chennai also go through
Tranquebar.
Why the place holds good: Three years after the formation of the Danish East India Company in 1616,
the first Danish ship reached the southern coast of India. After some initial skirmishes with the French,
Portuguese, and Ceylonese navies, the Danes signed a treaty with the nayak of Tanjore in November 1620,
ceding to them the village of Tarangambadi, which they re-dubbed as Tranquebar.
The place remained an important Danish trading centre and outpost before it was sold off to the British
in 1845 for £10,000. India’s first printing press was also set up here in 1712 and the first-ever Tamil
translation work was published from this press in 1715.
Where to stay: The Neemrana Group has converted the old Danish Governor Bungalow into an
eight-room hotel. The Bungalow on the Beach, as the name suggests, offers a panoramic view of the
unruly waves of the Bay of Bengal and is a stone’s throw away from the now restored Danish Fort built in
1620. The rooms have an antique look. A must-see is the two-faced ‘Love Chair’.
What to do: For a lazy traveller, Tranquebar is the place to be. The unspoiled beach is a perfect place to
go for a swim or just sun bathe. It is reported that Tranquebar has the thickest ozone layer in India. Fort
Dansborg, now under the control of Tamil Nadu Archaeological Department, is the most important
landmark and houses a museum. Other places of interest are the Zion’s Church built in 1701, the Town
Gateway (1792) and also the Masilamani Nathar Temple.
For bookings email bungalowonthebeach@nivalink.com or call 04364-288065. A standard double
room costs Rs. 3,500. The hotel also offers a 14-bed dormitory facility at Rs. 150 per bed.
06
Sport
Indian-Kiwis add an
extra Test
New Zealand has agreed to add a third Test and
an extra Twenty20 match to India’s tour starting
next month. India asked
earlier this month to play an
extra Test during the tour to
help offset losses after the
cancellation of matches
against England and Pakistan.
The Board of Control for
Cricket in India (BCCI) and
New Zealand Cricket
announced the extended
schedule Thursday after the
host country had worked to reschedule other
matches. India will arrive in New Zealand on
February 20, eight days earlier than originally
scheduled, with the first tour match being an
additional Twenty20 match in Christchurch on
February 25. An extra Test will be played in
Napier on top of the originally scheduled two
Tests in Hamilton and Wellington. “India is
probably the most exciting side in the world at
present, packed full of superstar players, and the
chance to see six more days of high quality
international competition will be welcomed by
all New Zealand cricket fans,” New Zealand
Cricket chief executive Justin Vaughan said. BCCI
secretary N. Srinivasan said he was grateful the
two cricket authorities had been able to work
together to extend the tour. “To have such a
strong mix of Tests, one-day internationals and
Twenty20s will be good for both teams, and for
cricket followers in India and New Zealand,” he
said.
AFP
Size matters for Indian
soccer
Tall, strong and physically imposing – that’s the
new mantra for talent scouts in Indian soccer.
Skill-wise, India is on a par with other nations
but the team lacks physique, All India Football
Federation’s technical director Colin Joseph Toal
said this week at an under-13 soccer festival in
the eastern Indian city of Jamshedpur. “Hence,
we are focusing on talented footballers with
good height and strong physique,” the UK-based
Toal said.
India is ranked 20th in Asia after clinching the
AFC Challenge Cup last August, a victory that
secured them an Asian Cup berth. The national
team has shown improved results in the last two
years under British coach Bob Houghton but are
still ranked 142nd in the world. On Wednesday
they lost 1-2 in a friendly to Hong Kong.
Reuters
ERGO Friday, January 16, 2009
Dementieva crushes Serena
Elena Dementieva overpowered a weary Serena Williams 6-3, 6-1 at the
Sydney International on Thursday to set up an all-Russian final against
Dinara Safina. Dementieva cruised to victory against the American, who
ran out of steam after a gruelling run to the last four in which she had
saved seven match points in her earlier rounds.
W Man U
ayne Rooney is facing three weeks out
of Manchester United’s title charge af-
ter scoring the winner and then being
struck down by a hamstring injury as
the champions sealed a narrow 1-0 win against
Wigan Athletic at Old Trafford on Wednesday.
Rooney, 22, lasted just seven minutes of Unit-
ed’s win, which takes them to within two points
of leaders Liverpool with a game in hand,
before limping out of the action. Unit-
ed can claim top spot in the Premier
League for the first time this season
if they defeat Bolton at the Reebok
close in
on Saturday, but Rooney will be United inches near
forced to watch from the sidelines
after suffering his injury blow. table-toppers
Pressing for a speedy Liverpool but face
recovery
United manager Sir Alex Fergu- losing Rooney for
son said that he hoped Rooney
would not be out for longer. three weeks
“Wayne has done his hamstring,”
said Ferguson. “It’s one of those
things, but it’s a three-week job
I’m afraid. Hopefully it
won’t be any longer than
that, but he gave us a
great start with a great
finish from Ronaldo’s
cross. We were carry-
ing injuries throughout
the game and that says
a lot for the character
of the team. Carlos Te-
vez limped through-
out the second-half,
Jonny Evans, Paul
Scholes, Ronaldo.
They all seemed
to be limping
about
place.”
the
Tough game
Ferguson had
warned his players
ahead of the game that Wigan,
guided to six wins in seven league
games prior to this clash by boss
Steve Bruce, would prove a stern
test at Old Trafford. And the man-
ager’s words were proved accurate
as the visitors threatened to de-rail
United’s charge to the title. Ferguson
said: “Wigan are the best team we
have played here this season by far. It
was an outstanding performance by
them and they really made us work.
We should have had the game put to
bed by half-time with the penetration
we had and the chances we created, but
Wigan are a very good side, so it’s a big
result for us.”
Victory at Bolton will ensure top spot
before Liverpool return to action at home to
Everton and Ferguson admits that being
top is a prize worth chasing at this stage
of this season. He said: “You don’t mind
when you are top, but in my experi-
ence, being top is where you want to
be, there is no question about that.
So hopefully we can be top by Sat-
urday night.” ■
AFP
PHOTOS: AFP
 Friday, January 16, 2009
07

‘‘
Of course there is going to be a certain amount of expectation and
pressure as the Grand Slam champion but I will try to use it in my
favour and look at it as a positive challenge.
Defending Australian Open champion and world number three Novak Djokovic

Shooting star
W
hen Fred Perry stepped
off court in 1936 after his
US Open win over Don
Budge, most Britons
would have assumed the nation’s
tennis future was secure. After all,
Perry was world number one with
eight Grand Slam titles to his
name, and Britain could count it-
self as a sporting force in all four
corners of the empire. Seventy-
three years and countless disap-
pointments later, with both Perry
and the empire long consigned to
history, the country is still waiting
for its next Grand Slam cham-
pion. So it’s not surprising that
the emergence of Andy Murray
has been greeted with consider-
able fanfare in Britain.
Bookies favour him
With Murray now the bookies’
favourite for the Australian Open,
excitement is at fever pitch. Mur-
ray, 21, has transformed himself
from a gangly, fragile youth with
Murray eager to break British drought
a petulant streak into a genuine
force in world tennis, highlighted
by his displays over the past six
months. After reaching his first
Grand Slam final in New York,
Murray sealed his second consec-
utive Masters series win before
reaching the Masters Cup semis
on debut and reaching a career-
high fourth ranking. So far this
year Murray has been the tour’s
best player, beating both first and
second-ranked Rafael Nadal and
Roger Federer at an exhibition
event before besting Federer
again as he successfully defended
his Qatar Open title.
“Sometimes you just have to
give credit. He played great. He is
probably in the best form of any-
body in the world right now,”
said American Andy Roddick af-
ter the Doha final. With former
greats and experts queuing up to
tip Murray for Grand Slam glory,
expectations are high that the tal-
ented Scot will end the British
drought here.
But with eight matches needed
for victory, together with the Aus-
tralian summer’s searing heat,
it’s far from a foregone conclu-
sion.
More to do
“Andy’s shown for a year that’s
he’s knocking on the door,” said
Federer. “He’s playing with good
confidence. But winning a slam is
different animal, not many guys
have been able to do it.” Murray
has always had the game to beat
the best but credits intensive fit-
ness and strengthening work
with giving him the extra power
and stamina to survive at the top.
The six foot three (1.90 metre)
Murray controversially split with
coach Brad Gilbert, hired at great
expense by Britain’s Lawn Tennis
Association, in late 2007 and now
travels with two fitness trainers as
well as coach Miles Maclagan.
Results came quickly as he com-
piled his best season to date in
2008, becoming the first Briton to
win five titles in one year in the
Open era.
Famously reticent in front of
the TV cameras, Murray has been
slow to win over a British public
which retains fond memories of
the popular, albeit less success-
ful, Tim Henman. His career be-
gan aged three when, encouraged
by his mother Judy, a former
Scottish national coach, he start-
ed playing in his home town of
Dunblane.

Shooting tragedy
Tragedy struck when scout
master Thomas Hamilton went
on a killing spree at the eight-
year-old Murray’s school, mur-
dering 16 young children in one
of Britain’s worst massacres.
Murray largely avoided the sub-
ject until last year, when he de-
tailed in his autobiography how
he knew Hamilton from a youth
group and hid under a desk to
escape the gunman. “I could
have been one of those children,”
he said. Murray won his first Fu-
tures tournament in 2003, leapt
into the top 100 in 2005 and won
his first ATP title in 2006. He won
two out of four finals in 2007 and
broke into the top 10 but was also
out for nearly four months with
back and wrist injuries. ■
AFP
Tennis messiah
An unheralded wild card entrant took everybody by storm
at the recently concluded Chennai Open. Double NCAA
champion Somdev Dev Varman on his first year in the
professional circuit reached the final of the US$ 450,000
ATP meet, claiming some big scalps on his way.
A counter-puncher and a solid base-liner, Somdev is a
modern and more powerful version of former French
Open champion Michael Chang and pundits are already
out, predicting a bright future for him. A quick learner
and with a never say die attitude, one hopes Somdev lives
up to the reputation that he has earned over the past
week.
(We feature a player every Friday who has defied odds and come out
as a winner during the past week. For this week, we pick tennis
young-gun Somdev Dev Varman. You can send in your choice for
next week at feedback@goergo.in.)
08 ERGO Friday, January 16, 2009

The short and long of it is that

the baby doll dress is a type of
mini dress (at least 6 inches
above the knee), just a little
more frilly, lacy, ruffled and em-
bellished with bows and rib-

R
emember the blue-eyed,
long-eyelashed, pink-
cheeked doll in bows, frilly
organza, matching hair-
band and stockings you so en-
joyed playing with? As much as
you loved dressing it up, you
wouldn’t have imagined your-
self in similar attire. (Barbie, by
the way, doesn’t fit that descrip-
tion. The makers have ensured
that she becomes every little
girl’s idea of perfection
personified.)
Baby doll dresses, however,
are called cool now, thanks to
Gwen Stefani and her Harajuku
girls, the stage background
dancers named after Harajuku
Station in Tokyo, who toured
with her to promote her Haraju-
ku Lovers album. The recently-
launched Harajuku Lovers fra-
grances, Love, Li’l Angel, Music,
Baby and G (for Gwen), are just
new additions to the Harajuku
Lovers line that she had intro-
duced way back in 2005 under
her fashion label L.A.M.B.
bons. Moreover, it was first
intended to be worn as negli-
gee, not the outerwear it has
now become (a la bikini top?).
The origins remain unclear.
We don’t know if the 1956 mo-
vie Baby Doll, which got its 20-
year-old actress Carroll Baker an
Academy Award nomination,
has anything to do with the no-
menclature. Many credit the film
for popularising the baby doll
dress, till then chiefly a garment
for children and their playth-
ings, among women.
Even now, despite its frequent
sightings, the baby doll dress
isn’t quite likely to get you on
many ‘Best Dressed’ lists. The
fact that it looks more like an
attention-seeking high school
prom dress narrows down the
number of people who can carry
it off. Also, a baby doll dress is
the kind of outfit you’d most
likely imagine Paris Hilton in.
Fashion-wise, you wouldn’t
want to be spoken of in the
same breath. ■

The baby doll dress is not for

babies and dolls now, but it’s
not the best thing around either

(Left) An outfit by Agatha Ruiz de la

Prada and (right) by Elie Saab
Friday, January 16, 2009
09
Globe-trotting

PORTFOLIO
A t the recent Golden
Globes, strapless
gowns, chandelier
earrings, bold colors
and black emerged the
top choices.
Black and dark blue
were popular with
some bright
exceptions. Golden
Globe nominees Kate
Winslet, Amy Adams,
Sally Hawkins and
Viola Davis were
among the many
actresses who chose
black dresses for the
evening event in
Beverly Hills, California.
“It made me feel a
little bit sexy, and I
needed to feel a little
bit sexy tonight,”
Davis, nominated for
best supporting actress
for Doubt, said about
choosing her Max
Azria plunging V-neck
gown.
Evan Rachel Wood of
The Wrestler also
sported a black gown
with a plunging V-
neck. “People keep
asking me how I
picked it, but I think it
picked me,” she said of
Angelina Jolie in a the sequined and
Versace beaded gown by Elie
Saab.
Anne Hathaway, Maggie Gyllenhaal, Drew
Barrymore, Debra Messing and Sigourney Weaver
were all in blue.
Freida Pinto of Slumdog Millionaire said she was
taken with her “mustardy gold” gown by Christian
Lacroix.
“When you wear one dress you feel absolutely
‘wow’ about, you have to wear it. And this one
was it,” Pinto said.
Angelina Jolie was a notable standout in a shiny
but simple silver-beaded dress by Versace. Jennifer
Lopez also went metallic in a gold dress. ■
Reuters

Gwen Stefani and her Harajuku

Girls and (top) Paris Hilton

Viola Davis (left) in Max Azria and Freida Pinto in

Christian Lacroix
10
Flick
A
ction hero Akshay Kumar
says he helped co-star Dee-
pika Padukone match his
action skills in their forth-
coming film Chandni Chowk To
China but made sure she came
“second best” to him.
“She (Deepika) once said she
wants to be the female Akshay. I
hope she doesn’t beat me. She
has done a good job in the film
and I helped her here and there.
That way I made sure she always
came out second best to me,”
Akshay said. Though Akshay was
slightly apprehensive in helping
Deepika considering “how good
women are at picking up skills”,
he was quite sure he wouldn’t be
“outshone” by his leading lady.
Chandni Chowk To China, slat-
ed to release Friday, features the
two actors in a story of an Indian
cook, Sidhu, played by Akshay,
who goes to China and is mistak-
en for a martial arts expert.
The film is apparently based
partly on Akshay’s own life as he
was also born in Chandni Chowk
in Delhi and grew up to go to
Bangkok to work as a chef.
About his character in the film,
he said: “I love my character. It’s
so much like me. Come to think
of it, Sidhu is a man I was once in
Bangkok. Though the purpose of
the journey is different but the
drama is definitely the same. I
have fought as many villains in
this movie as I have in my ca-
reer.”
Chandni Chowk To China is
being talked about for its aggres-
sive promotional activities as well
as for the association of interna-
tional names like renowned Chi-
nese actor Gordon Liu and action
choreographer Dee Dee Ku.
For Akshay, training under Ku,
who has worked for films like Kill
Bill, Crouching Tiger, Hidden
Dragon and Matrix among oth-
ers, “was like squeezing blood
from a stone”.
“He is super quick. Whenever
he would have crazy stunt ideas,
one couldn’t figure if he was seri-
ous or joking. He is incredible in
his field. And I trusted him with
my life.
“If I would have met him be-
fore, my life would have been dif-
ferent. He has only worked with
the best. So pleasing him was like
squeezing blood from a stone.
When he used to say ‘Akshay the
take is okay’, that used to be a
huge compliment coming from
him, he said.
Sharing screen space with Gor-
ERGO Friday, January 16, 2009
Jackie Chan to star in The Karate Kid remake
Hollywood actor Jackie Chan is in final talks to star in the remake of The Karate
Kid. The film is the starring vehicle for Will Smith’s son Jaden.
“I hope
Deepika
does not
beat me”
She has done a good job in the
film and I helped her here and
don Liu was like a childhood
dream come true for the actor.
“You know how fans react there. But I made sure she al-
when they see Aamir Khan and
how they run behind him. That’s ways came out second best to
how I see Gordon Liu. I have ad-
mired him and his martial arts me: Akshay
since the beginning. It was su-
perb working with him,” said
Akshay.
Chandni Chowk... also holds
the credit of being the first Indian
film to be shot at the Great Wall of
China.
“We had a fabulous experience
shooting at the legendary monu-
ment of the world - the Great Wall
of China. It was spiritually
breathtaking and probably the
highlight of our shoot,” he
shared. A part of the film has also
been shot in Chandni Chowk.
Akshay has a lot of fond memo-
ries of the popular market place.
“Shooting in Chandni Chowk
was a unique experience. I was
born there. I thought it was sheer
madness to shoot there in the
narrow lanes but people there
were overwhelming. I am an ex-
pert regarding the food available
there so I used to treat the unit of
the film to the best delicacies
there,” he said. ■
IANS
 Friday, January 16, 2009
11
Penelope Cruz treasures Woody Allen’s glasses
Hollywood actress Penelope Cruz has taken home a special souvenir from the sets of
her latest film Vicky Cristina Barcelona - a pair of director Woody Allen’s trademark
spectacles. The Spanish beauty admits she was taken aback when Allen presented her
with the gift, because it was so personal.

I’m not going to risk

my life for any film Cine City
B
ipasha Basu, who abruptly left
the shooting schedule of Lam-
haa in Kashmir last year, says
she left in a huff because a cer-
tain security she had been promised
wasn’t provided at the location.
“Too much was made out of the
whole thing. Lamhaa is a difficult
film. There was bound to be ups and
downs. The producer and director
knew why I left. A certain amount of
security was promised. The first sev-
en days were absolute chaos - noth-
ing was organised and there was a
lack of security.”
“Yes, my work is my life. But then
I’ve a life beyond work. I’m not going
to risk my life unnecessarily for any
film. Who comes to hold your hand
when you’re in pain? Let’s be opti-
mistic,” Bipasha told IANS.
Bipasha has now returned to Kash- I will never do item numbers
mir to shoot forLamhaa, with the as- Actress Divya who recently played a prominent role
surance from the producer Bunty in Gowtham Menon’s Varanam Aayiram was
Walia and director Rahul Dholakia of approached to do an item number in actor Vijay’s
GETTY IMAGES

beefed-up security.
After last year’s incident, Bipasha’s
security is of special concern and her
co-star Sanjay Dutt, in fact, proceed-
ed to Kashmir a day ahead of her to
ensure the atmosphere is conducive
for the actress to resume shooting. ■
IANS
Villu. But the actress had denied the offer saying
that she will never do an item number as it’s her
policy. Stating that she would be happy to share
the screen with Vijay as his ladylove, the actress has
added that she is a great fan of Vijay. Divya is at
present busy shooting for Kadhal to Kalyanam,
opposite actor Arya’s Younger brother Sathya.

T he 39-year-old pet lover, who shares the

screen with a golden retriever in her new mo-
vie Marley and Me, said that her first dog hated
her, reports the China Daily.
She said: “My first pet was Demetri, a white poodle.
GETTY IMAGES

But he did not like me much because I would always

pull on its tail. But I was three; I thought he was a toy.” Priyan busy in Bollywood
However, now the former Friends star is much nicer to her Director Priyadharshan who enthralled everyone
current furry friend, corgi-terrier cross-breed Norman. with his parallel cinema Kanchivaram has no plans
She said: “There’s no dog like him. He’s just a person in a furry to continue with serious cinemas it seems, as he is
outfit. I don’t even know how to describe him. busy with lot of commercial flicks. The immediate
“He’s a wise old man who could, with a look, with one stare, one to get into theatres is Shah Rukh Khan’s Billoo
could crush me. He’s a laser light beaming into my soul.” Barber a remake of Malayalam hit Katha
ANI Parayumpol. Next film to reach theatres in April
will be Bhum Bhum Bole, a remake of Iranian
masterpiece Children of Heaven, where in Darsheel
Safari of Taare Zameen Par fame will don the lead
role. Other movies are Pirate featuring Kunal

Jennifer Aniston’s first Khemu, Deepika Padukone, Rajpal Yadav and

Paresh Rawal, De Dhana Dhan starring Akshay
Kumar, Sunil Shetty, Sameera Reddy and Paresh
pet pooch hated her! Rawal.
12
Tuesday’s Query:
Your message to A.R.
Rahman for winning the
’Golden Globe’ award?
■ AR Rahman is now Allah Rewarded
Rahman for his simplicity, dedication,
nobility, his hunger to fly India’s flag
high and his belief in god.
Thouhid, Cognizant
■ AR Rahman is the lord of music
according to me. Not only the Golden
Globe award, the genius would
certainly get to win an Oscar.
Amritha Sridharan,
G. Saravanakumar, TCS, Guna Sekar, PMC,
Chris Ganes, Perot systems,
Janakipriya R, Congruent Solutions,
Shaik Dawood CSS, S Dheepa, Infosys,
Sathyanarayanan FSS, Mali, Birlasoft,
Sivasundaram, RR Donnelley,
Minu, Sutherland
■ AR Rahman scale more heights with
your music.
S.Ramesh, Wipro
■ Bring home the Oscar, the Mozart of
namma Chennai.
Karthick, FSS
■ Congrats, He is legend and I’m
proud to be an Indian because he is
the only Indian to have achieved this
feat, we pray for him.
Gopinath R, Kalaivani R, Kumari R, Sarah
Joyce D, Gomathi. P, Manimala V,
Durga.S, Vanarani.N, Senthil K, PMC
■ Dear Rahman uncle... Oscar is not
very far... Stay in US, grab it and then
come to India... It’s for you only.
Robin M, Wipro
■ Gr8 work A.R.Rahman sir. Hoping for
more such gr8 BGMs in your Tamil
films too. Your songs are always
ultimate.
LM Kaushik, Infosys
■ Great music maestro, a living legend.
God showers his blessings always on
you. Long live Rahman Ji.
Ruba, Wipro
■ He deserves more than all awards.
Usually people will be waiting for
awards. But Awards are waiting for
him.
Arun Kumar C, Congruent Solutions
■ Hearty congratulations you deserve
it. Keep rocking like this.
Srinivasan, Lakshmi, RC, CTS,
Jarks, Ramco Systems
■ Hi Rahman, Idha nan solliye
aaganum. Hollywood’la ivlo nalla music
ERGO Friday, January 16, 2009
yarum... ivlo nalla music kaetruka
maatanunga and I’m simply mad about
you.
Mukund SCB, Scope International Today’s Query:
■ Ithu chumma trailer thaan...pinadi ’Taare Zameen Par’ missed out on
varum parunga main picture.
Nivedhan, Infoview Technologies. Oscar nomination, which Indian film
■ Two hands on keys have made would you nominate for Oscar 2009?
millions of heads proud. Great work.
Balaji Sundar, Wipro
■ Rahman made India proud, we all
had goose bumps while seeing Rahman
receive the Golden Globe. He deserves
this award. U rock Rahman. Keep
Going! Jai hind.
Angelin Golda, Arti, Abi,
Glory, Gowri Shankar, RBS
■ A.R again you have proved that you
are the student of Ilayaraja. I proudly
want to say to all world music lover
Summa Athirudhula..........
Senthilkumar, Perot Systems
■ I thank God because he gave me a
chance to hear good music through
you. Proud to be an Indian. Jai Hind.
Manikandan, Heartland Info Centre
■ The Man. The Music. The Mozart.
With an Indian base, Western influence
and Global Appeal, kicking off from
Roja jaaneman to Jai ho, Rahman ji
your compositions have been
phenomenal. You have made us all
proud by winning the Golden Globe. A
sense of spiritual fulfilment is what
one gets after listening to most of your
melodies. We are sure you will make it
in the Oscars too. Rahman..’ Rahe
Mahaan’. Love you Guru. Best wishes
from all of us.
Ramya, Akhila, Divya, Varshini, TCS
■ Isai puyalukku innoru viruthu...
isai virunthukkae isai virutha!
viruthaal unnakku yenna perumai
unnal antha viruthukkae perumai
intha indhiya mannukkum perumai!
aduthathu Oscara?...
agila ulagamae un isaikku adimai
un kai meetum yethuvum isai
agairathu un yennam thaedum
yevaiyum isai agiarthu nee vidum
moochu kaatrru kuda
isai aga maarukirathae!
yengu katrai intha vithaiyai!
isaikku nee oru agarathi
isaikku nee oru munnodi
isaikku neeyae aathichudi! petru vidu
antha Oscaraiyum, irunthu vittu
pogattum varalatril oru tamilanaal
Oscarukku perumai yendru!
Geetha B, Sangeetha N,
Jeyanthi B, Srimathi Y TCS.
■ This is great achievement for this
musical wizard. He has been composing
beautiful lyrics for long time but now
this award will catapult him into
international arena.A perfect example
of natural genius, salute to him.
Prince
(TCS Client Delivery - US)
 Friday, January 16, 2009
Thiagarajan Boopathi,
Process Associate of CGSL
has been nominated Office
Angel by his team mates
Thilagavathi, Pavani, Ven-
kat, Vignesh, Saleem, Ma-
nonmani, Sonalisa, Preetam
He is always young at heart,
energetic, enthusiastic and an
ever-smiling person. He is very
polite, humble, friendly, easy-
going and accessible by one
and all. When it comes to
work he is very dedicated and
sincere. His sense of humor,
timing and the limitless spirit
makes him very endearing to
all of us in office.
Namrata Bhure from Tata
Consultancy Services doodled
this.
1. Cyclela poana cycling,
Trainla poana training-aa?
2. Cream biscuitla cream irukkum,
Ana naai biscuitla naai irukkumaa?
Regards
Saravanan V,
HCL
13
■ Dear Ergo, ■ Hi My One and Only Suresh,
U r always thought of in a very
special way. Wish you a happy Let this special day brings you all
pongal. the joy and success, wish you a
Regards great birthday wish from the
Saravanan V, deepest part of your beloved
HCL Minu’s heart. Love u dear more
than ever before. Treat enga?
■ Hi Meera, Minu,
Advance happy birthday to u Sutherland
and have a splendid year
ahead!! ■ Dear Saravana (THALA),
May God bless U with Wish you a many more happy
Happiness,peace. Let this returns of that day
birthday make ur life brighter We wish u a day brings the best
than ever and let all ur dreams in life for u.
come true. May life lead u to great
Regards, happiness and success.
CASL Team. Hope lovely surprises ,Are
AIG-TCS. coming your way,To make your
Birthday a Wonderful day
■ Dear Mamtha, (Belated Happy birthday THALA…..
wishes) Hearty Wishes,
We all wish you a very Happy From Your Dear Colleagues
Birthday! UST-Global,
May God be with you & all your ASV Sun Tech Park
dreams come true!!!
with love, ■ Dear Anusha,
Bhuvana, Raju, Sakthi, Wishing you a wonderful life
Viji, Kavitha, Tapas together,
May there be no hill too steep,
■ Dearest Nightingale Renu… And the ground forever rise to
Joyous B’Day Wishes to you meet your feet.
darling. For the bride and groom,
This year is gonna be really May your tomorrows be ever
rocking for you. New project more jubilant and beautiful?
career in your life and wish you Best wishes on your wedding
win the “Airtel Super Singer” day,
title too. To a wonderful beginning,
Loads of love, And a rewarding lifetime
Chris, together.
Wipro Technologies With Best Wishes
Srividya, Subhalakshmi, Vaishnavi
■ Dear Karthikeyan Rajan
(RIDER), ■ Dear Subhu,
How much you mean A smile is a curve that sets
Although you surely must know everything straight and wipes
That without a doubt wrinkle away hope u share a lots
There’s no-one nicer than you and receive a lots 4 days 2 come.
Or anyone dearer Your birth day is the perfect day
To wish Happy Birthday to to say I care,
Many More Happy Return Of the because you will remember me
DAY. when u certainly make it a big
-Hearty wishes from all affair,
Nokia COACH Team, and when you do hold a party...
Tata Consultancy Services. I bet you will
be the one who would care to
■ Dear Friends. make ur special day a costly
Wish you Happy Pongal to THD- affair!!!!
Chennai With lots of love,
NON-PROD Team. Gayathri, Karthika, Ila
■ Hey Tamil (Dumil), ■ Dear Senthil Kumar,
Wish You Many More happy Wish you many more happy
returns of the day!!! Have returns of the day,
another exciting year ahead.. May god bless you and may you
With Best Wishes, have a great year ahead.
Rosco Team, Best Wishes,
Excelacom Technologies Gayathri, Wipro
.
14 ERGO Friday, January 16, 2009

Coffee visions

Traffic Jam
A new study suggests that drinking too much coffee
dramatically increases the risk of hallucinating. Young
men and women who had more than seven cups of
instant coffee a day were three times more likely to
hear or see things that were not there.

sudoku

At Muthu Valliappan’s
village in Arimalam of
Pudukkottai district.
Vallippan works with
Wipro Technologies.
The harvest season is
round the corner and
it’s time we made the
Click Pick column a
little more
interesting.
Photographs of the
harvest festival, rural
India and little-
known rituals will be
given preference this
month. Please send
us fresh photographs,
preferably those
clicked by you on a
recent trip, to
clickpick@goergo.in

All photos selected for clickpick this month KAKURO

will receive a gift voucher worth Rs.1,000, cour-
tesy Kantilal Diamonds (Ph: 2828 1700). Read-
ers are requested to send their addresses with
their entries.

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karthik@goergo.in

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(Editor responsible for selection of news under
the PRB Act). RNI No. TNENG/2007/24553
 Friday, January 16, 2009
15
Prison boss’ costume row Word’s worth
A prison boss is under investigation after he recruited riot wardens to "Maisterel" (mays-ter-ell) a rare
escort him to a fancy dress party - in a bid to make his costume look and obsolete term for an imp or
more authentic. He wore a striped convict uniform under arrest for familiar. Perhaps from Middle
trying to steal the bride. French maistral, meaning ’servant.’

B.C

ARIES MARCH 21 - APRIL 20

Ganesha finds you at low energy level today. You
might have to put in more effort to find solutions to
simplest issues at work. You may be ‘emotionally
attached’ with the job responsibility. In love
relationships, you may learn to ’let go’ and ’adjust’.

TAURUS APRIL 21 - MAY 20

Today you may be in front of your computer or at
your desk at least, dealing with various activities.
You may finish all work attentively as you may be
in a mood to rush home. Ganesha finds you
spending a wonderful evening with your beloved.

GEMINI MAY 21 - JUNE 20

Today, you will be inspired by someone. You may
BORN LOSER try to improve your basic skills. In relationship
matters you may be very considerate and may treat
your beloved in the best way possible. In return,
you will receive lots of love from the counterpart.
CANCER JUNE 21 - JULY 20
You may not be in a very good mood to deal with
your routine work, but ensure that you don’t spend
time behind loitering around. On the other hand,
work pressure may be there. In the evening, you
may entertain your beloved and have a good time.
LEO JULY 21 - AUG 20
It may be a stressful yet encouraging day. You may
be in a mood to finish off your work. Your logical
abilities are at best, which may help you a great
deal today. In relationships, sweet communication is
possible. In a nutshell, it’s a wonderful day.
VIRGO AUG 21 - SEPT 20
You could be dealing with some technical hassles
FREE RANGE WORKING IT OUT today, but you may be able to find root cause of
the glitch and fix it soon. If you wish to place
demand to HR, this is the right day. Lovers may
need to guard against argumentative nature.
LIBRA SEPT 21 - OCT 20
You may handle work diligently. Ganesha foresees
you developing better professional relations. Those
in public relations may perform well. You may strike
perfect balance between practical life and emotional
realm. Your beloved will find this impressive.
SCORPIO OCT 21 - NOV 20
You may need to be careful in routine work, else
you may miss out on some important point. Those
dealing with coding may find something fishy which
may leave you perplexed. On the personal front, you
may remain passionate and romantic, feels Ganesha.
SAGITTARIUS NOV 21 - DEC 20
Ganesha finds you guiding others on some
important technicalities related to work.
Alternatively, you may do some value addition to a
programme. Your beloved may be in a very good
mood which may add charm to the day.
CAPRICORN DEC 21 - JAN 20
The day favours important meetings. Ganesha finds
you pretty busy with work today. You may use your
power discreetly and remain the best at work. There
may be slight conflict with the beloved. You may
remain concerned about domestic and romantic life.
AQUARIUS JAN 21 - FEB 20
PREVIOUS Ganesha finds you highly concerned about
performance at work today. Luck favours for the
ISSUE’S groundwork or beginning of new projects. In the
second part, you may chill out with friends. You will
SOLUTIONS remain in joyful mood throughout the day.
PISCES FEB 21 - MARCH 20
You may remain defensive in some particular
situations at work today. You may need to handle
responsibilities with utmost care. You may feel
mentally stressed till evening. You will remain
emotionally attached to those whom you love.
Predictions by Bhavesh N. Pattni
16 ERGO Friday, January 16, 2009

!
Roja
AR Rahman’s first soundtrack Roja was
listed in TIME’s ’Top 10 Movie
Soundtracks of All Time’ in 2005.

Rahman returns home

to a rousing welcome
AR Rahman in Chennai after receiving the Golden Globe Award in
Best Music category for film ’Slumdog Millionaire’ on Wednesday.
PHOTO: R RAVINDRAN

M
usic maestro A R Rahman after receiving the coveted
Golden Globe Award for the Best Original Music Score for
Slumdog Millionaire returned home in the early hours on
Thursday to a rousing welcome of his fans and well
wishers.
Avid fans thronged the airport to receive their hero even as
traditional musicians playing the ‘Nadaswaram’ and other folk
artistes’ performances were in place to receive the musician.
Rahman, whose fans followed him all the way till his house,
said he was sharing the award with all Indians and Tamils.
“Slumdog Millionaire reflected India and its subject and content
encouraged one to come to the limelight despite being from a
humble background,” he said.
It was the story of a small time slum resident striking it rich
after winning a jackpot in a quiz show, on the lines of ‘Kaun
Banega Crorepati’ and is directed by British filmmaker Danny
Boyle. ■
PTI