With supreme acting skills that have gained them plaudits from people all over India, some of these Bollywood stars will actually surprise you with their educational degrees as well! Here we take a look at the most highly educated B-town celebrities.
This bubbly Kings XI Punjab owner, with a chubby face and a pretty dimple, is a perfect blend of beauty and brains. She has graduated with an English honours degree and earned a post graduate degree in criminal psychology! Impressive, isn’t it?
Vidya Balan
This B-town bombshell holds a major in sociology from St. Xavier’s, Mumbai. Besides this, she also holds an M.A. from Mumbai University. Talk about being diversely talented!
Following in the footsteps of her father, Soha attended the Balliol College in Oxford. She also holds a masters degree in International Relations from the London School of Economics and Political Science.
R Madhavan has charmed quite a few with his cute smile but that’s not all that is impressive about him! He is a graduate in electronics from Rajaram College, Kolhapur and even won the Maharashtra Best Cadet title which allowed him to make a trip to England. He even received training the Royal Army, the Navy and the Air Force which made him consider joining defence.
This Bollywood hunk finished his primary education at Bombay Scottish School in Mumbai, and then went on to get an MBA degree from the Mumbai Educational Trust.
Fardeen Khan
Fardeen holds a Business Management degree from the University of Massachusetts, USA! Impressive!
There have been hurried marriages in Bollywood, followed by baby announcements soon after. Well, we’re talking about actresses who evidently got pregnant before tying the knot! Here we take a look at some of them.
One of the only Bollywood actresses who admitted she was pregnant before marriage was Sridevi. The actress was reportedly around seven months pregnant when she tied the knot with freshly divorced Boney Kapoor. They got married in 1996 and Jhanvi was born a couple of months following the wedding.
Konkona was dating Ranveer Shorey before marrying him in September 2010. The couple soon announced the birth of a baby boy in early 2011. Too soon? We’d like to think so.
Sarika married Kamal Haasan who was an already married man. The two started living together after Kamal divorced his wife, and Sarika was soon pregnant with Shruti Haasan. Later on, the couple tied the knot, only to separate later.
Amrita Arora
Amrita was in a relationship with businessman Shakeel Ladak and after her pregnancy news broke out, the couple decided to tie the knot.
Celina Jaitley
Celina married her Australian boyfriend Peter Haag after denying reports of pregnancy. The marriage was in July 2011, while she delivered twin babies in March 2012. Do the math.
No sooner than the news of her marriage broke out did she announce the birth of a child. Nothing was left but to assume that Mahima was pregnant much before marriage.
Cellulite is a condition in which the skin appears to have areas with underlying fat deposits, giving it a dimpled, lumpy appearance. Around 90 percent of women suffer from it in their legs, buttocks or stomach. There are ways in which you can significantly reduce the appearance of cellulite. Let us look at some of them.
A healthy diet plays an important part in keeping cellulite at bay. Eat plenty of fibre and whole grain foods as well as fruits and vegetables, since they help to remove waste and toxins from the intestinal tract. Drink plenty of water as well. Water helps in shedding of fat and also in strengthening the collagen in your skin.
Exercise
Cellulite is basically fat. Excess body fat shows itself through cellulite. Exercising regularly can reduce this excess fat and get rid of cellulite.
There are many cellulite massage tools in the market
Massaging the area with certain tools available in the market will help in stimulating circulation and breaking up fluids beneath your skin, leaving a more even appearance.
Gelatin
Consuming gelatin helps in tightening loose skin and it also improves digestion. It is also rumoured to help reduce the appearance of cellulite. So, there’s nothing like trying.
Coffee scrubs can be beneficial in reducing cellulite as well. The caffeine in coffee helps in tightening the skin.
Kettlebell workouts
Kettlebell workouts are effective in reducing fat
Kettlebell workouts are a great way to increase blood flow and reduce the appearance of cellulite. Known to be one of the most effective ways to build muscle and burn fat, Kettlebell exercises are especially good for your thighs, hips, buttocks and stomach area.
Consuming Omega 3fatty acids and fat soluble vitamins will help reduce cellulite over time. Besides, they are also good for various other functions in your body!
A close friend’s wedding is coming up! All your attempts to lose weight have failed, and you’re getting panicky. You want to appear thinner instantly, without going to the gym in these last few days? And without those silly crash diets? Well, of course you do! Here’s how you can!
Stand up straight
Standing up straight will make you look thinner
When you improve your posture, not only do you visibly decrease your stomach fat, but you also gain confidence.
Wear proper fitting underwear
An ill fitting bra or underwear will make fat spill over. Wear the proper size and you will look a whole lot thinner.
Wear long fitting tops
Wearing a long fitting top or shirt will stretch out your torso and thus make you appear thinner.
Choose colours carefully
Choose your clothes’ colours wisely
Avoid bright colours and patterns as they make you appear bigger than you are. Dark colours are known to make your heavier sections appear smaller.
Shoes should match your body
The shoes you wear should match your body type and size. If you are on the heavier side, try and look out for bulkier shoes, and don’t go in for slender heels!
Wear the right size of clothes. Do not go in for a larger size or anything too tight. If you try to squeeze into a size 12 if you’re a size 16, then you are surely going to accentuate your body fat, even the little that there is.
Stay away from horizontal striped tops/t-shirts
Don’t wear horizontal striped t-shirts or tops as they made you appear wider. But if they are vertically striped, they make you appear thinner.
Somebody has rightly stated that “Fashion is like seasons, it comes and goes and leaves the world wanting for more.” Whenever a new trend in fashion is doing the rounds, people all over the world turn to their fashion gurus for a word about how to rock the trend best. Some trends die out soon while others are more grounded for longer periods. Let’s take a look at which ones will stay on this year and what is fast disappearing.
Colours!
Orchid coloured dresses
Orchid is the colour of 2014. We are extremely excited about this one because this vibrant and fresh colour can be worn on all skin tones. Plus the rosy-flowery touch to it makes it an out-and-out fashion staple. Rock this colour in accessories or go for a colour block wardrobe. Neons have made their splash but pastel shades are again making a promising comeback. We’re talking baby blue, lavender, subtle yellow and creamy-smoothie colours like shades of a prim rose… so romantic!
Culottes and Palazzos are here to stay
Culottes and Palazzos are making a splash this year
Culottes or wide legged short pants are back again and this time they will stay for a longer bracket. Also Palazzos will be widely accepted and preferred over skinny jeans. The high waist varieties will add length to your frame and make you look instantly taller and leaner. We give them a huge thumbs-up!
Tea-length skirts
Tea-length skirts have always been around and now with their colour palette going neutral, they never looked prettier! Mini-skirts can totally go into hiding now.
Crop tops
Crop tops are a huge rage this year
Crop tops will be a huge rage this year. If you dare to bare your mid-riff then you must try this sexy trend. They come in many variants depending on asymmetric hems and varying sizes. The bra-top or a bustier-top will soon make a mark.
Say no to Anarkali suits
The flared Anarkalis are completely out of fashion this year. These wedding staples will soon vanish from the mandap and straight kurta style dresses will take over the fashion scene instead.
Sarees
Pre-stitched saree
The traditional 6 or 9 yard saree will be swapped for one that’s pre-tailored. Textured fabrics will be more popular and pallu and pleats will be stitched as per the wearer’s body. Also the blouse will take a backseat with the young and bold; only to be replaced by a shirt or a tee for that edgy sassy look. Mainstream designers like Sabyasachi Mukherjee and Masaba are already popularising this trend in the markets.
Hair trends
Short hair dos will be a popular fad
Shorter hair will be the hot favourite this season. Wind-swept pixie cuts or the classic bob will be popular. Beautiful and romantic braids will linger on for a long time.
Jewellery
India is known for its love for jewellery and this year too jewellery will be a huge fashion statement. Chunky designs inspired by history and nature will be hugely popular. Gold will remain wedding-loyal, and silver and platinum will be a preferred option for casual outings.
Any girl would tell you that the biggest question in the whole wide world is – “What do I wear today?”
Maxi dress
The most embarrassing situation would be stepping out for a party with your pals and looking trashy, just because you crossed a thin line that differentiates between class and crass. This usually happens with girls who have always been simple and traditional in dressing up, and were never exposed to modern ways of making a style statement. In a bid to go from simple to chic you may sometimes go a little overboard and end up looking indecent with the new found cleavage baring dress that you thought made you look like a million bucks.
If you don’t want to look like the most promiscuous girl at the next party, here’s help. And you can thank us later…
Always take a second opinion while choosing new items to dress up for a special occasion. You may feel that a bandage dress can look good on you, but probably your girls may give you an honest opinion. And that in turn would save you from looking like a victim of a fashion “accident” in need of a bandage. Choose a maxi dress that will not look like you strayed far away from your usual salwar kameez and still make you look gorgeous.
If you’re thinking of wearing a skirt instead of a sari at your friends pre-wedding cocktail party, go easy with the length. Your friends are used to seeing you covered up in the 9 yard drape, and if you make a sudden appearance wearing an ultra mini skirt, everybody’s going to think you’re craving to be noticed. Swap the mini skirt for a tea-length pencil one and accessorise it well.
Tea-length skirt
We all dream of wearing a cute bodycon dress, but wearing one and having to constantly pull it down is a huge turn off. Here’s a helpful tip: when shopping for a bodycon dress if it feels like it’s a little short, try to pick a size bigger and preferably one that has a crew neck. This way you’ll have a more conservative ensemble that balances out the skin show.
If you’ve never worn denims before, you may probably not want to directly jump to stone washed skinny jeans, or low rise and distressed ones. Pick a pair of simple mid waist jeans instead, and wear them with long tunics. Yes, we know crops tops are in and you’re probably thinking of flaunting your midriff, but you need to remember it’s a transition that must be carefully made.
Bodycon dress
Lastly, be sure to look and feel confident when you decide to go for a style makeover. It shouldn’t make you feel like you have had to jeopardise your self-image in the society. After all, beauty is in simplicity.
When it comes to eating right, one of the worst things to do is treat it like a chore. And because our mentality has it that healthy food is boring, we don’t even take a minute before calling for pizza. But guess what? Comfort foods, like everybody’s favourite pizza, burger, or fries, can be made healthy too!
Of course, you’ll have to do away with all the bucket loads of oil and fattening ingredients that are not doing any good for your waistline. Today I’m going to share a few recipes for healthy homemade everyone’s favourite junk food, which will not give you a reason to worry about your weight!
Hot’n’crispy French fries:
Who loves hot crispy fries? I do! And because I can never satiate my cravings for a huge bag full of French fries I decided to make them healthier. Here’s how…
Baked french fries are a tasty yet healthy option to calm your junk food craving
You will need:
4 large potatoes or sweet potatoes if you want extra, extra healthy
One tablespoon olive oil
Salt as per taste
Water
Method: Wash and cut the potatoes into thin long slices (you may keep a little bit of the skin on for taste and health benefits). In a large pan, boil some water and dunk the potatoes in with some salt. Once they’re done, drain them on a piece of clean cloth and give it a shake to make the edges a little rough. Drizzle a baking tray with olive oil and spread the potatoes out on the tray. Bake for 30-40 minutes or until golden brown and crisp. Yummy, crispy and healthy French fries are ready to serve. Don’t forget the salsa dip!
Hamburgers top everybody’s favourite foods list. When it comes to burgers, bigger is always better. But the best burger and the current favourite of mine is my mom’s recipe of a good healthy homemade one. It’s a must try.
When it comes to burgers, it’s always the bigger the better
Method: This one is no less than a food extravaganza. Get your chicken ham slices/veg patties and the burger buns grilled. Wash and slice the tomatoes and onions. Wash the lettuce and cabbage leaves thoroughly and pat them dry with a soft kitchen towel or simply spread them on a plate and put them in the freezer for 5-10 minutes. Now, once you’ve got all your ingredients handy, start piling them up in 2-4 layers however you like it. For a fun food session, let your family members do the stacking themselves! Vegetarians can make the same by using veg patties instead of the chicken.
Crunchy crust pizza: Pizzas may be a takeout speciality but once you try this pizza-made-healthy option you’ll definitely know why it’s better. Most times, the chewy pizza crust adds to the inches on our belly; so in this homemade variety I used the ever so healthy whole grain chapattis with a twist!
Whole wheat pizza can also be yummy! Try it to believe it.
Method: Combine the whole wheat flour and the all purpose flour with yeast, salt and hot water in a food processor, to make a light and fluffy dough. Knead well so that the dough is soft. Lightly flour a flat surface covered with plastic wrap; let the dough rest for 30 minutes maximum. Meanwhile, chop the olives, tomatoes, onions, jalapenos, and the herbs. Roll out the dough in circles or rectangles and use a fork or toothpick to prick it. Spread a thick layer of salsa spread on each rolled out crust. Top the pizza crust with the chopped veggies, herbs, and cottage cheese/chicken (or whatever you are using as a main ingredient) and season it with salt and pepper. Sprinkle the feta and mozzarella cheese on top and bake in a pre-heated oven at 450 degrees C for 10-12 minutes. Serve immediately.
In Indian society, especially among the traditionalists, living-in may be considered as taboo, but many individuals from free spirited societies find it a convenient way of getting acquainted with their partners in a profound sense. But what do youngsters feel about this? Has the shift of western culture into the Indian subcontinent changed the way people perceive marriage? We met five youngsters and asked them if they would live-in with their partners before marriage. We requested them to keep the Indian culture aside while answering this and talk only based upon their personal morals. Let us take a look at a few snippets of what these youngsters had to say about this.
Safana Abdul is a storyboard artist who is currently single and feels that the only factor that could influence whether or not she should live-in with her partner will be the potency of their commitment. “If I know that the commitment with my partner is strong enough for marriage, I wouldn’t mind living-in with him. But only if he gives me an assurance that he will marry me in the future. My family wouldn’t be alright with it, as generalised, but I would do what is fair and what I feel is right in the end.”
22-year-old student counsellor Divya Sajnani is currently single, but is open to the idea of living-in as well. “I think it’s a great idea. First of all, you get the sense of independence, away from family. Only if you stay with a person for a longer time will you get to know whether or not you are compatible with him, whether you will get bored of each other, whether common sense and logic will prevail in your decisions as a couple. There will be like a ‘preview’ to all these problems before you actually take the plunge into marriage, which is a big decision!”
30-year-old Jayavardhan Verma has been dating for about a year now and says that he is happy to have a girl who is open minded like him. “I think it is a great idea to live-in with my girl. She is quite open-minded and she would consider it if I would make such a decision. We aren’t too keen on getting married in the near future, so it is an option.”
Daisy Leivon too, was of the opinion that living-in is a great opportunity to explore interests and motives of your partner. “I totally believe that living-in with your partner is completely different from dating. You don’t know someone until you live with him. All the tolerance levels, interests, motives and everything else that comes with living together are put to the test, rather than just the promises that a couple make at the marriage altar.”
So we’ve had four liberalist points of view which say a lot about how things have changed here in India. The fifth interviewee, however, was one who was quite firm about his beliefs and morals and says that he will not compromise in this area. Aakash Parekh was strongly opposing the idea of a live-in relationship. “The institution of marriage is sacred. Its purpose cannot be defeated by impatience. Marriage is something you have to wait for and treasure, not something you practise for with a partner and then give it a try! Marriage is special. I would never want to lose the essence of marriage by living-in with someone. My wife is going to be the only one with whom I will live… not my girlfriend. I’m sorry; my girlfriend doesn’t have my consent to live with me. If she loves me, she will have to wait to marry me! If she doesn’t have the patience to wait, then she probably never was the right girl for me.”
With most people living a life of compromise, based on what they feel is right and not what ethics have taught them, it is hard to draw a line of morality. But in the end, who am I to draw a line? Or who is anyone who spoke here? Everyone has freewill, but I would only put in a proposal for everyone to weigh out the pros and cons of anything before they jump into it.
We all hate oats equally. Sure, it’s good for us, but anything that’s healthy cannot taste good. Or can it? I was surprised when my granny cooked up a 3 course meal for me recently; and all the dishes had one main ingredient – Masala Oats! Can’t wait to know how she cooked up the magic? Read on…
Yummy scrumptious tikkis are everybody’s favourite breakfast. They really put a smile on my face. Make this simple dish and relish it with your family almost every morning!
Ingredients:
1 pack Masala Oats
1 cup cooked yellow moong dal
1 finely chopped onion
1 grated orange carrot
1 teaspoon red chilli powder
Oil for shallow frying
Salt and pepper as per taste
Chopped coriander leaves
2 tablespoons corn flour
Method: In a mixer-grinder, add Masala Oats and cooked yellow moong dal and grind coarsely. Transfer the contents to a big bowl, and add salt, pepper, chilli powder, chopped onions, grated carrots and chopped coriander leaves. Mix the ingredients well and form round tikkis. Dust each tikki with a little bit of corn flour and shallow fry in oil. Your quick 20-minute yummy Masala Oats tikki is ready!
Another breakfast staple in most Indian households is the upma. Now make the upma healthier with Masala Oats and enjoy this spicy tangy upma without worrying about your waistline.
Ingredients:
1 cup Masala Oats
1 finely chopped onion
½ a cup mixed chopped boiled vegetables
Salt as per taste
½ cup water
2-3 green chillies
2 tablespoons oil
A pinch of mustard seeds
1 teaspoon each of urad dal and chana dal
A sprig of curry leaves
Method: Sauté the chopped vegetables in one tablespoon oil until the onions change colour. Now add chopped green chillies and salt, and fry for some more time. Finally add the Masala Oats with water and cook on medium flame while covered. In a separate pan, heat the remaining oil and add mustard seeds, curry leaves and dal to temper. When dal seems to be fried well, turn off the flame and transfer the oats to the temper and mix well. Serve immediately.
Masala Oats KFC:
Home made fried chicken
Yay! KFC at home! And it tastes better than anything I’ve ever tasted that qualified as KFC-wannabe. My mom’s recipe of fried chicken legs is simply heavenly. It’s crisp on the outside and tender and juicy on the inside. Mouth watering yet? Here’s the prizewinning recipe:
Method: Wash and clean the chicken legs without removing the skin entirely. Pat them dry with a kitchen tissue. Prepare a marinade with lemon juice, salt, pepper, red chilli powder, onion paste, garlic paste and marinate the chicken overnight. In another bowl, beat the eggs with milk to obtain a smooth consistency – this is dip number one. In a separate flat dish, mix together, all purpose flour, bread crumbs, red chilli powder, Masala Oats, salt and pepper – this is dip number two. Now bring the marinated chicken legs and first dip them in dip number two – that is the flour mixture. Now coat the legs in dip number one and again in dip number two. Fry the chicken pieces until golden brown. And don’t even pay money to KFC.
