Jaya, Rekha bond at a book launch

Yesteryears actress Rekha, who has been on the blacklist of Bachchans, was seen interacting with Amitabh Bachchan's wife Jaya Bachchan at the launch of photographer Gautam Rajadhyaksh's Marathi coffee table book “Chehere” in Mumbai.

Amitabh amd Jaya's marriage went through a rough patch around 1976 when the gossip mill was abuzz with the news of the sizzling affair between Amitabh and Rekha.

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But it came as a surprise for the scribes and others to see them chatting.

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Legendary singer Lata Mangeshkar at the event.

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Actress Kajol, who is pregnant with her second child, was also present at the event.

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Sonam's journey from flab to fab

Inspirational Sonam
Naturally beautiful, super-fit and radiating health and happiness! She burst into the scene after a major weight-loss programme and has not looked back since. Actor Sonam Kapoor on how she took charge of her weight, health and looks!

Weight-loss journey
I was in a boarding school in Singapore for two years and somehow put on a lot of weight while I was there. Since I never planned on a film career, I neglected my diet and put on so much weight.I would have continued being obese and unhealthy but for director Sanjay Leela Bhansali. I started assisting him on Black, and one day out of the blue he asked me to take up acting. Acting in films means having a fit body. So I started working on my weight. Eventually he offered me Saawariya. But to set the record straight, I had actually started losing weight before I was offered any film.

Battle plan
In all fairness, it was my mother who helped me get rid of my excess weight. The first thing she did was to keep me off the stuff I was so fond of chocolates, ice creams, fried foods and sweets. My goal was to lose 35 kilos. I started weight training with trainers Shervir and Monisha; artistic yoga and Power Yoga with Bharat Thakur; Pilates with Yasmin Karachiwala and general fitness with trainer Zarine Watson. My training in Kathak helped me too. It's a vigorous form of classical dance and helps you get a toned body. In addition, Zarine put me on six small meals a day that are low on carbs and high on protein. My breakfast consisted of oatmeal and fruits. Post-workout, I had brown bread with egg whites. Afterwards, it was a protein shake with juice. Lunch comprised dal, sabzi, one ragi roti, salad and a piece of chicken or fish. The evening snack was high-fibre crackers with chicken cold cuts or egg whites. At dinner, it was soup, salad and a piece of chicken or fish. I followed this routine for a year and lost 35 kilos in all!

Fitness first
I was very sporty in school and played rugby, basketball and other games regularly. This has helped me develop flexibility to step in and out of different exercise routines with ease. I feel cardiovascular exercises work best for me in combination with weight training. Each day of the week I focus on a particular body part, such as the abdomen, arms, shoulders or waist. I do 30 minutes of cardio every day. Two days a week I follow it up with dance exercises learnt from Ashley Lobo. On other days I practise Bharat Thakur's Power Yoga. It is very strenuous but has immense health benefits. In summer, I like to swim as much as I can. Whenever I get the time, I play squash too, which requires a lot of strength. I try to do different workouts and balance them out in order to keep my motivation high; plus mixing exercises helps burn more calories.
Healthy is wealth
I never binge and eat everything in moderation. Also, I never ignore my cravings. I eat whenever a craving strikes, but in small portions. When I felt like chocolates three weeks ago, I didn't hold back, I took a small piece. When I'm travelling I carry an apple or sandwich or health bars to satisfy myself without piling on excess calories. My grandmother taught me to sip on warm water first thing in the morning. It flushes out toxins from the system. I follow it up with honey and lime water. Another must for me is a no smoking atmosphere, at home, work or in public places.

Pearls of wisdom
Erratic work schedules often make maintaining your weight difficult. But it's possible as long as you eat healthy every day and work out a bit daily. Also, it's important to undergo a medical check up to ensure that you haven't put on weight due to a medical condition.

Aruna Shield in Mr Singh Mrs Mehta

Director Pravesh Bharadwaj is all praises for the Censor Board after his film Mr Singh Mrs Mehta, which grabbed headlines because of a nude scene featuring actress Aruna Shields, was passed without cuts.

The film, which revolves around the theme of infidelity, has three lovemaking scenes which too have been given the green signal by the Board.

'The film was referred to the revising committee and they understood that the film does not intend to titillate with its content but looks at infidelity in an honest way. The film has got an A certificate but the integrity of the film has not been compromised,' director Pravesh Bharadwaj said.

Shields, a British actress of Indian origin took up the role of Neera Singh, which had been rejected by 60 other actresses in a row because the script contained a scene where the character poses nude for a portrait.

The film also boasts a record 34 kisses, but the debutante director says that they were all central to the plot and not added for shock value.

The Board has often been criticised by filmmakers for its high handed attitude and archaic values, but Bharadwaj says that he has no such complaints.

'I was really apprehensive but with this decision the Censor has proved that it is a progressive body ready to change with the times,' said the filmmaker.

Bharadwaj is of the opinion that big budget films often have trouble with the board because they want a U certificate to maximise their audience and profit.

'The trouble starts when a film with risque content wants to get a U certificate and then the Board asks them to make the cuts. The Censor Board is not the only one to blame in such incidents,' said Bharadwaj.

The film revolves around Neera Singh a middle class Indian girl married to a NRI in London, who discovers that her husband is cheating on her. Her search for the lover of her husband leads her to the artiste Ashwin Mehta and the two soon begin a passionate affair.

This is not the first time that the board has passed a controversial movie without cuts.

Bengali filmmaker Sudipto Chattopadhyay's gay kiss in Pankh featuring Maradona Rebello and Amit Purohit was passed by the censors, untouched.

Manisha Koirala weds her Facebook friend

It`s `2010: A Love Story` for Bollywood actress Manisha Koirala, who tied the knot with beau Samrat Dahal in a traditional ceremony in Kathmandu on Friday.

The 41-year-old Nepalese beauty exchanged wedding vows with Samrat, 34, at a private function at the Gokarna Forest Resort, 10kms east of the capital, attended by family close friends only.

Samrat, who the actress met on Facebook a year ago, has completed Master`s Degree in Alternative Energy from US and he is currently involved with his family business, shoe manufacturing.

Dressed in a yellow saree, Manisha garlanded Samrat and exchanged wedding rings as priests recited Vedic mantras in the presence of her father Prakash Koirala and mother Sushma.

Besides her family members, close relatives and friends, those attending the function were Bollywood actress Suman Rajnathan, Manisha`s co-star in her debut film `Saudagar` Bibek Mushram and Govinda`a wife Sunita.
The celebration included traditional Nepali music 'Panchai Bazaa' and a cultural dance. Nepali, Indian and continental dishes were served at the resort.

Spread over three days, the main ceremony will be held on Saturday when the bride will go to the groom's house after performing hour-long rituals as per the Hindu tradition.

Actors Jackey Shroff and Govinda are also expected to attend the wedding reception to be held at Hotel Soaltee Crowne Plaza on Sunday.

President Dr Ram Baran Yadav, Prime Minister Madhav Kumar Nepal, Maoist chief Prachanda and former King Gyanendra are expected to attend Sunday's grand dinner party in which some 3,000 guests have been invited.

Image: Manisha Koirala and Samrat Dahal attend their wedding ceremony in Kathmandu on Friday.

The actress would continue with her movie career even after the marriage, her father Prakash Koirala, nephew of late prime minister Girija Prasad Koirala, said.

Manisha would live in Nepal and would mostly devote time to Nepali films, which she has already begun by acting in `Dharam` opposite famous actor Rajesh Hamal, said Koirala.

Manisha caught the imagination of film lovers with her 1991 Subhash Ghai film `Saudagar`, later went on to give memorable performances in Vidhu Vinod Chopra`s `1942: A Love Story`, Mani Ratnam`s `Bombay` and `Dil Se` and Sanjay Leela Bhansali`s `Khamoshi`.

Image: Manisha Koirala and Samrat Dahal during their wedding ceremony in Kathmandu on Friday.

The actress, grand daughter of Nepal`s first elected Prime Minister Bishweshwor Prasad Koirala, will also throw a lavish party two days later at Hotel Soaltee Crowne Plaza in Kathmandu .

The marriage comes two months after the demise of Girija Prasad Koirala.

The actress had evaded marriage over the years and broke off two engagements in the past.

She was reportedly engaged to ex-Australian ambassador to Nepal Crispin Conroy in 2001, but broke up with him soon.

Last year too, the grapevine was abuzz with reports that Manisha would wed American speaker and author Christopher Dorris, but that relationship too ended.

Image: Manisha Koirala and Samrat Dahal during their wedding ceremony in Kathmandu on Friday.