55th Filmfare Awards - The sari brigade

Who: Sridevi

Sridevi looks very elegant and I totally digg her blouse but..There is always a but:-) I think the sari was too simple for the occasion. The color is very sophisticated but since there is only some beading at the borders, the whole thing looks a little dull..

Who: Kajol

Kajol is my favorite actress and its her first appearance on my blog!! Muah!!

Kajol has been very open in her disdain for dressing up which kind of breaks my heart since I dream about clothes:-) Well, all's fair in love, war and fashion. Lovely smile, honey, but even that cant save your outfit. The ribbons in the sari totally spoil it for me. The black/gold border is a good contrast with the tomato-red sari but the ribbons, the ribbons!! What was the designer smoking??...Pretty dramatic earrings!!

Who: Kalki Koechlin (Best Actress in Supporting Role for DevD)

The color of Kalki's sari is very similar to Sridevi's but because of the all-over embellishments, she looks more red-carpet worthy. Her blouse style is very difficult to pull off but I think she does a good job. Do note her cute hair accessory..My only crib - she should have gone for a bold, dramatic red lip-color.

Who: Mugdha Godse

I cant figure out if thats a sari or a skirt on top of sari with a dupatta or maybe my eyes cant take it anymore.. I do commend Mugdha for being consistent and persistent - she is always the worst dressed on the carpet. That must require a lot of effort, no??

Other celebs in Sari

Left: Urmila (long time, no see)

Right: Shabana Azmi (nice!!)

Left: Sophie (too busy a pattern)
Right: Udita Goswamy (thought its a screen test for item girls)

The award for best dressed in sari goes to:
	Sridevi
	Kajol
	Kalki
	Mughda
	Urmila
	Shabana
	Sophie
	Udita

Photo Credits: filmicafe.com, pinkvilla.com, bollywoodhungama.com

55th Filmfare Awards - the wives club

Left: Gauri Khan, Right : Hrithik and Suzanne Roshan

Gauri has not only been a Vogue cover girl but was also the showstopper on the ramp for Karan Johar's fashion line. There is an immense interest in her since she is married to the King Khan. She pretty much wears high-end designer stuff but one thing is consistent about her - her makeup. She always, always looks oily- not sure if she likes that kind of shiny look or no-one has the guts to point it out to her..... Anyways, I like the color of her dress but not the style. The bottom half looks like a sari :-P An empire waist would have looked better with this beautiful draping.

Suzzane is wearing one of the better looks seen at the awards. I love everything about the gown - the cut, the fabulous color, the halter neck.. For a change, her hair looks good too.

Photo Credits: filmicafe.com, bharatstudent.com

Jahanpanah - The Tour

I didn't take this photo, so I can't apologize for the blurriness ... but if it was clear, you would see that I not only didn't TAKE the photo, I'm not in it.  Due to sick kids and my silliness at not asking Shanti to come early that day, I had to stay home and missed the Seven Cities tour.

As a result, I have nothing to share with you about the City of Jahanpanah ... maybe I'll get back there on my own someday?

55th Filmfare Awards - Best Actress

The 55th Filmfare awards were held in Mumbai on 27th Feb. These awards are India's Oscars and were first introduced in 1954. They honor both artistic and technical excellence of professionals in the Hindi language film industry of India. We had some great films and acting nominations. The awards have been presented but our work is not done..Lets see who wins the awards for the red carpet!!

Best Actress

Deepika Padukone for Love Aaj Kal

The dress is nothing great - in fact its boring. I do like the draping on the bust, the peek of black satin/leather but the fit around the waist seems a little off. The hair and makeup is flawless. I have to say I am little disappointed in Ms Padukone since she usually dresses up for such events.

Vidya Balan (Winner) for Paa

Congratulations!! The sari is gorgeously draped and it appears she has lots oodles of weight - she is really glowing in the second pic - I guess winning does that to you:-)

I didn't like the mustard/orange combination and the rudraksh is a nice touch but they should have been a size smaller and middle gold thingie in the necklace is horrible - instead an antique pendant would have looked better. I must add she may be lacking a dress sense but she makes it up in the acting department. wot say?

Katrina Kaif for New York

This is the only picture available and doesn't show the entire dress:-( I totally dig the color and the top half of the dress. She looks pretty in a simple hairstyle.

The other best actress nominees were - Kareena Kapoor (double nominee) and Priyanka Chopra.

Photo Credits: pinkvilla.com, bollywoodhungama.com

Help a mama out!

I'm not sure how much of the following visual takes place in Delhi normally ... it seems that much of the construction/renovation and ... upgradation (yes ... that's a word that is used consistently on road signs here) are for the Commonwealth Games in October.

Regardless, we see this daily.  Women ... in their saris ... laboring.  This day though ... a new sight.

Is that not the sweetest thing you've ever seen?

I do want to spend some time investigating the round thing these ladies wear on their head. 

Can you BELIEVE the amount of bricks they carry?

Tacky, tacky, tacky

Who: Mugdha (top) and Zarine (bottom)

What is wrong with you girls? Mugdha especially is a repeat offender and this time decided to dress up with lights turned off, grabbing whatever came in her hand. And Zarine, did the invite say "Prom night"?? This has to be the tackiest prom dress ever. Ever. Both of them need stylists, ASAP..Seriously, Vidya Balan looks best dressed compared these two dweebs...

Photo Credits: pinkvilla.com

Chitrangda at Espirit store launch

Is the dress stunning or what?? did you see the golden embroidery on her sleeve and the flash of blue color?? Its these little details that make a difference between a dress and a dress..Her eye makeup is good but the hair kinda looks weird - is she wearing a wig??

Photo Credits: bollywoodhungama.com

55th Filmfare Awards Pre-Party

Who: Shruti Hassan

Sequins are an attention-seeking material. With something as fleshy as sequins, its important to keep it causal so as to not look like a drag queen. I am not a top-to-toe sequins girl but prefer to wear just one piece to add glamor to an outfit. Shruti gets it right by wearing her graphic sequins t-shirt over slim jeams - a very rock and roll look.. The shoes are dead-on, not sure about the black necklaces.

Even though she looks cute, is jeans ok for red-carpet? what do you guys think?

Who: Sridevi

After a couple of good looks on the red-carpet, Sridevi takes a stumble here. What really surprises me is that Sridevi, being a such a red-carpet veteran, forgot that the flash-bulbs will pick up her nude undergarment...On someone her age, it looks very trashy..

Who: Dia Mirza

I have looked at this pic for a loooong time and am going to say it straight out that the dress does not do anything for me. It somehow looks as if Dia forgot to ear her pants/salvaar and it simply doesn't work as a dress. The color is okay but shoes are too chunky for this look. Did she cut her hair short a la Padukone??

Who: Genelia D'souza

What happened, chica? you got into a fight with Amrita Rao as you both wore similar outfits to Shahid's birthday party and she looked better??

This dress really showcases her rocking figure, toned golden legs and delicate collar bones:-) Genelia tends to have more bad days than good days on the red-carpet. Today is her good day - the outfit is little edgy but she is young and can carry it off..The shoes are a nay- some fierce gladiator shoes in black would have looked better..

Who: Asin

How gorgeous is her hair, makeup, shoes and ooooh, totally, totally dig the lipstick shade...Don't even bother with the dress -- admire her glowing face and scroll down to the next picture..

Who: Shazahn

I like the colors of this dress but not the ruffles. Overall, she looks cute..What do you guys think? hit or a miss??

Who: Rahul Khanna

Dreamboat, sigh!! And I don't care he is wearing brown shoes with black suit..Lets show some love, girls:-)

Who is the best dressed at the Filmfare Pre-party?
	Shruti
	Sridevi
	Genelia
	Dia
	Asin
	Genelia
	Rahul
pollcode.com

Photo Credits: pinkvilla.com, filmicafe.com, bollywoodhungama.com

New fashionista in town

I really love it when celebs not just wear designer stuff but give the clothes a personality by combining the pieces in their own stylish, quirky manner. I have been totally digging the outfits Sonia has been wearing in the last few months - sometimes its bad but I like the way she is playing with her clothes. Fashion is meant to be fun..

Sonia at Teen patti screening

The stripes t-shirt and white ruffle skirt looks nice but the vest really blows the look away. The waistcoat/vest came into fashion spotlight after Kate Moss was snapped in one while attending Glastonbury 2005. Its a pretty versatile piece to have in one's closet- u can wear it open or buttoned, with jeans, short, skirts or dresses and it comes in different styles and fabrics (lace, denim, etc)

I am soo looking forward to her next appearance..

Photo Credits: filmicafe.com

Harper Bazaar - Anniversary cover & Party

I am feeling too lazy to do two separate posts -- for Harper's Bazaar one year anniversary cover and the other for anniversary party celebration:-P...so two posts for the price for one!! Its the recession, chicas, everyone is giving discounts...

Warning: The cover features Hrithik and Katrina and they look hot, so grab an icy drink before u look at the pics..



Here are some more pics from the photo-shoot:



Hubby dear, stop drooling... Two beautiful people make one smoking couple!!Not sure if I like Hrithik better with or without the beard. Katrina is doing the only thing she knows - being a barbie doll. I hope they star in a movie soon..What do you guys think - which Hollywood chick-flick remake will be appropriate for them??

Given that Katrina was the cover girl, she did not turn up for the anniversary party - at least I could not find any pics..In fact, I only saw guys on the red carpet. Where did all the gals disappear?

Left: Hrithik, Right: Karan Johar

Hrithik disappoints - I just dont like the vest he wore and, ummm, he looks so greasy?? I like him with the beard - hey, that was an easy decision. Karan looks like a penguin in that white-black tux.

Left: Rahul Khanna, Right: Arjun Ramphal

Rahul looks really dapper in his suit. I wish he would stop doing the "blink, u miss" roles in movies and do a full-fledged one. Arjun, I am all for bandana's but not on the red-carpet. That and sneakers and shirt not tucked in - all too causal for the red carpet.

Photo Credits: filmicafe.com, pinkvilla.com

Sajdah :: Nizamuddin Tour, cont'd

At our recent tour of Nizamuddin, I was overwhelmed with all of the Muslim people.  Since we've been in Delhi, I've seen some out and about, but nothing like this.  I was mesmerized.

I've always been intrigued with the daily rituals and obligations of faith such as the Muslims have.  There is something interesting to me ... and I can't quite put my finger on it.

Our tour group walked into a small area to have a quiet place to talk ... and when we walked in, I saw this off to the side.

Sajdah is the act of prostration to God - in the direction of the Kaaba (the cube shaped building in Mecca) -  which is usually done during daily prayers (salah). While in sujud, a Muslim is to praise Allah and glorify him. The position involves having the forehead, nose, both hands, knees and all toes touching the ground together.



Sujud is one of the main pillars of daily prayer in Islam. A single act of sujud is called a sajdah (plural sajadāt). Muslims do sujud in each prayer many times depending upon the Raka'ah of prayer. A raka'ah is a unit of set actions that have to be performed in a prayer. The shortest (obligatory) Muslim prayer consists of two raka'ah. The raka'ah can be described as follows:

• Standing
• Bowing down with hands resting on knees
• Standing up from bowing
• Going in prostration (sajdah) once
• Lifting the face up from prostration but sitting on the ground
• Doing a second prostration (sajdah) and then getting up for the second, third, or fourth raka'ah

Fashion Faceoff

Left: Anjana Sukhani at Aradhana screening
Right : Sridevi at Raveena album launch

Jeans with white top - classic combo...I have to say Sridevi is still giving celebs half her age a run for their money.

Who wore it better?
	Anjana Sukhani
	Sridevi

Left: Celina at V Care Indian Super Queen Finals
Right: Laila Khan at Punjab grill opening

Celina wore a sequins V-neck top with her black lace saree whereas Laila went for a bustier style and a gold purse.

Who wore it better?
	Celina
	Laila

Photo Credits: bollywoodhungama.com, desifun.com, pinkvilla.com

Salvatore Ferragamo cocktail party

Who: Queenie Dhody

I am not sure what look she is going for here - rainbow?? tropical bird?? I do spot some feathers in her hand..oops, thats her clutch..And is that a flower on her blouse?? I think she is going for the whole forest:-) If she had gone for a sequins blouse in blue or green, this would have worked..

Who: Neha Dhupia

And on the other hand, we have Neha who went for a complete monochromatic grey look with grey accessories. Lets first just look at the clothes - the architectural skirt, concentric circles of sequins at the neckline and the unfinished effect at the waistline - really nice... But it just doesnt fly - the top is one size big for her, the skirt is sitting too low on her waist and too long -- the hemline should have hit her at the knees. Dont like her hair either - it elongates her face..Never noticed her Jay Leno chin before, hmmmm...

Who: Natasha Poonawalla

I am on the fence on this one. Its a lot of bling, bling for me but she does carry it off by toning down the accessories.. What do you guys think?

Who: I dont know and I dont care

If you have been following my blog, then you know I hate jumpers and rompers of all kinds..I wish this trend would just go away..

Who: Madhoo( left) and Gayatri Joshi (right)

Two cute outfits completely undone by the clutches..All is not lost, girls, just swap them..

Photo Credits: filmicafe.com, pinkvilla.com

Jantar Mantar

I've seen photos of Jantar Mantar since before we moved to Delhi. I've always been fascinated with it, but was discouraged when folks kept telling me it was only in Jaipur.

Then, after seeing photos of the DELHI Jantar Mantar, I have been obsessing about it.

We recently had a girls' outing with our bestest of Delhi buds and headed out for an afternoon of meandering and photo taking.

The Yantra Mantra (literally the 'instrument and formula' and often called the Jantar Mantar), is located in Delhi. It has 13 architectural astronomy instruments, built by Maharaja Jai Singh II of Jaipur, from 1724 onwards, and is one of five built by him.  He was given the task by Mughal emperor Muhammad Shah (wait ... I think I learned about him during a Seven Cities tour?)  the task of revising the calendar and astronomical tables.

Without further ado, I present ... the structures ::

The Mishra Yantras 

The girls climbing to the top

This structure allowed the indication of when it was noon in various cities all over the world.  How cool is THAT?

The Samrat Yantras

This massive structure is a giant triangle that is an equal hour sundial. It is 70 feet high, 114 feet long at the base, and 10 feet thick. It has a 128 foot long hypotenuse (a what???) that is parallel to the Earth's axis and points toward the North Pole.

The Jai Prakash Yantra

This structure acted as a reflection of the sky above. Crosswires stretched over the center of the bowl hold a metal ring, and every point in the sky can be reflected onto a corresponding point on the bowl through the ring. It is said that the Jai Prakash Yantra were so accurate, they were used to calibrate the other instruments in the Jantar Mantar.

The Ram Yantra

Looks like the Coliseum!

Used to measure the altitude and azimuth of celestial objects such as the sun and stars, there are TWO of these instruments.  They are perfect complements of one another – the solid portions of one Ram Yantra’s floor correspond to open spaces in that of its partner.

The primary purpose of the observatory was to compile astronomical tables, and to predict the times and movements of the sun, moon and planets. Some of these purposes nowadays would be classified as astrology.

My grandpa would have LOVED this place.