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I had been to this book launch and talked to the author. --- Name: Crushes, Careers & Cellphones Author: Manjiri Gokhale Joshi Publisher: Vitasta Price: Rs 199 When you are a kid, parents are “ancient”, and possible source of embarrassment before peers. Not that they try to understand you, but somehow they are unable to understand today's pace of life and “over-react.” They fuss over your grades, participation in a play, praise you sky high before friends and relatives, while you squirm and wish they would stop... Sometimes you try and tell them it's okay to go out with guys if you are a girl and with girls you are a guy. What's the big deal in hanging out together? These and many more issues affecting today's kids and youngsters have been written by Manjiri Gokhale Joshi in her book, “Crushes, Career & Cellphones”. Manjiri describes the book as, “Quick notes from a mum to a teenager.” Before you make up your mind that this is another children's book talk...

This was written for the point of view coloumn. -- I had always told myself that when I get older I am never going to spell the “g” word – generation gap or compare how it was when we were kids. I knew it sounded condescending and I hated when the adults uttered it, especially when the comparison was unfair. Yet, I found myself thinking on those adult lines. I was meeting a group of ten-year-old girls, tweens as they are called now, as a part of an assignment. They all were smart, confident, chirpy and smiling. No trace of self-consciousness or inferiority complex and far too assured. They knew exactly how they wanted to be captured on the camera with their dolls, designer bags, lips painted red, with a pout which would put Angelina Jolie to shame. All this at the age of 10. I was amazed and aghast in turns to see the young adults/women, who are a representative of what the kids of today behave and think like. I had this terrible urge to take them by the shoulder and shake them and t...

Hubby is “wired” even while he's unwinding at home; Daughter's Wii keeps her company in the loo; Son surfs Net and plays video games to refresh himself; Poor wifey! She is one of those homo sapiens, who inhale oxygen, while the rest of the family eat, breathe and sleep technology. Welcome to the new Indian family. Witching Hour Shyamoli Arte pauses mid-way while talking and looks expectantly at the clock. On cue, her husband's phone buzzes with a text message. She sighs when her husband flips open the cellphone and then shuts it back after checking the sender's name. “ I call it the “witching hour”. My husband's friend texts him ludicrous jokes at 11 pm. Every night. And yet my hubby has to reach out for the cell. His refrain is 'What if there's a message from my client?' I don't know what causes me more heartburn – A husband hugging cellphone to his ear for business calls or his insane friend who has a wrong timing,” fumes Shyamoli. Playing “Offi...

Suniti returns home after two years to find out that her mother doesn't recognise her. That's the story in one line of Amol Palekar's soon to be released Marathi film, Dhoosar (Blurred). Being a Palekar film, the expectation of the audience will be certainly high and the fact that it has bagged Maharashtra State Awards in three categories – Best Film, Best Direction and Best Music – ensures its critical success. The cast and crew of Dhoosar - Reema Lagoo, Smita Tambe (Suniti), Upendra Limaye and Amruta Khanvilkar - were in the city at the launch of the film's website, wwww.dhoosarthefilm.com. The website was launched by ace shutterbug Gautam Rajadhyaksha. The film revolves around Lagoo and Tambe, who play mother-daughter in the movie. Lagoo plays the role of Suhasini who suffers from Alzheimer. Rajadhyaksha, who has previewed the movie, said that it was beautifully shot in a non-linear pattern punctuated with flashbacks and unfolding in present time. It shows the helpl...

The perky Amruta Khanvilkar is the surprise package in Amol Palekar's Dhoosar. Considering her pretty, glamourous image and Palekar's sensitive, social themes, one wonders if the twain will match. “ Of course,” shoots back Amruta. “I'm playing a small but important role of Karla, who is the girl friend of Upendra sir's (Limaye) character in the movie.” Talking more about the role, Amruta says, “I am deeply in love with Arjun (Upendra's character). She wants him to settle in life and is always searching job/occupation for him. They meet Suhasini (Reema Lagoo) accidentally and sensing her helplessness, they move into her house as caregivers. Karla's character is positive to begin with, but when Arjun gets emotionally entangled with Suhasini and lets job opportunities pass by, she becomes resentful and breaks-up with him.” Amruta says the character's blunt and practical outlook appealed to her and that's why she jumped at the chance to act in Dhoosar. “ Of...

Smita Tambe had a pleasant shock one day prior to the shooting of Dhoosar. An actress, who was supposed to play the character role, suddenly found herself shooting for the lead role! “ It was too good to be true. But IT'S TRUE and I am really thankful to Amol Palekar because Dhoosar is my first picture as a leading actor,” exults Smita. As per the original casting plan, Smita was supposed to play the role of Karla (now played by Amruta Khanvilkar) while Mugdha Godse was to perform the role of Suniti, daughter to Reema Lagoo's Suhasini. But after the first script reading session, Smita got a call from Palekar that she is going to play Suniti. Smita, who has earlier worked in Jogwa, says, “My role in the film is of a reactionary response. My mother has Alzheimer and I respond/react to it. I didn't study or read about Alzheimer because in the movie I am supposed to be clueless about what the disease is.” Smita adds that acting in the film wasn't very tough because Palekar...

How does Saath-Saath inculcate the structured and conscious approach towards marriage? Let me begin by saying that Saath-Saath doesn't promote love marriages amongst its members. Nor does it advocate kande-pohe type of arranged marriages. It takes the middle path where the boys and girls are provided with a platform to meet, interact, understand and weigh the pros and cons of being married. We organise picnics, get-togethers where the members meet in an informal atmosphere and play several games which reflect their thought-process and social inclination. We also hold lecture sessions like money/investment, career, health and success stories. We want the boys and girls at Saath-Saath to come to the big decision - “He is the one I want to get married to” - the volunteers are just the facilitators. What are the “trends” in the present-day marriages? If we look at the big picture, the trends or expectations have remained the same to a large extent. Girls want husbands with bigger pay...