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Interview

Meet the Producers
Meet the makers of the upcoming stage production ‘Kiss Machaye Dhoom’, Paresh Vara and Roshni Ladva. Based on the history of Bollywood this musical production will entertain and enchant the audience with spectacular dancing to the music of Bollywood’s golden years to the present.

Interview

Kiran - A Diva in the Making
"My work is my love and passion - to entertain a crowd of 1000 people comes to me naturally". Dr Desi chats to the spirited Kiran Akhtar about her career as a Bollywood dancer, choreographer, actress and singer.

Interview

The Warrior travels Far North
In 2001 Asif Kapadia excited film buffs with his stunning debut feature “The Warrior”, a mystical tale of redemption set in the Indian Desert. Now he is back with his new feature “Far North”, which is set in the stark landscape of the North Pole. Ricky Ghosh Dastidar caught up with the director.

Interview

Giving Back - My Way
Interior Designer Enasha de Zoysa recently she went on a 6 month sabbatical teaching English in a tsunami village in Sri Lanka. On the eve of the 4th anniversary of the tsunami disaster, she tells Dr Desi of the deepened bond with her country of birth and her charity work following the tsunami in December 2004.

Interview

Shivajee Chandrabhushan
Ricky Ghosh Dastidar caught up with first-time film maker and director Shivajee Chandrabhushan when he was in London to promote his critically acclaimed film “Frozen”. Read here how he financed the film and why there is more to Indian film than Bollywood.

Interview

Acting for Social Change
She rather be ‘happy and sane’ in Delhi than be in-demand and over-worked in Mumbai – Ricky Ghosh Dastidar finds out why, in an exclusive tête-à-tête with Nandita Das, as she discusses her role in “Four Women”, which recently premiered at the London Film Festival.

Interview

Manohar Chiluveru
The Indian artist Manohar Chiluveru is currently working on an international live art event that will take him across continents for the next 4 years. Bithika Chatterjee caught up with him in London where he exhibited some of his paintings and staged his live art event at the M.P. Birla Millennium Art Gallery.

Interview

It shouldn't really matter who you fall in love with!
On 29th September 2006 Nina’s Heavenly Delights will be released in Cineworld cinemas across the UK. Six years in the making, the nationwide release of her film is a dream come true for award-wining documentary film-maker Pratibha Parmar.

Interview

A. R. Rahman - The Lord of the Musical Ring
Moments before the opening night of the musical production of Tolkien’s fantasy epic Lord of the Rings at the Theatre Royal Drury Lane in London, Dr. Desi pounced on A.R Rahman, the rising real Lord of the global musical ring.

Interview

Nitin Sawhney off stage
What drives and inspires this incredibly talented and sensitive musician? Read Part 1 of Sian Singh’s interview with Nitin Sawhney, whose individual take on music is becoming increasingly popular and is currently resounding throughout the land in film and TV scores, dance theatre productions and video games.

Feature

Bangalore
Parks and tree-lined streets, shopping centres, great weather and delicious dosas: these are only some reasons to visit the cosmopolitan South Indian city of Bangalore – India’s most developed and fastest growing metropolis! Isabel Putinja reports.

Feature

Holi: Festival of Colours
Celebrated in spring, the Hindu festival of Holi is popular all over India. The Festival of Colours knows no regional, cultural or religious differences and paints villages and towns in vibrant colours of love. Megha Banerjee on why and how Holi is celebrated in India.

Feature

The 'fearless' Blind Opera
Undaunted, the visually impaired performers of The Blind Opera conquer the world of theatre and prove that nothing is impossible, if only the mind believes and the heart is ready to accept the challenge. Palash Barman reports on an extraordinary theatre company

Feature

On Conflict and Art
Did you know that the history of Persia is over 3000 years old? With Iran rarely out of the headlines these days, an exhibition of Persian art at the Hermitage Museum in Amsterdam offered a refreshing new perspective on the country once known as Persia. Khuram Javed reports.

Feature

There's Something About Simmy

After the success of "The Deranged Marriage" and "Meri Christmas", Rifco Arts returns with "There's Something About Simmy", a story of family, friendship and fate written and directed by Pravesh Kumar. Sharan Bawja reviews the charming comedy about the ever-widening generation gap within British Asian families.

Feature

Get the Life you Love
How’s your life treating you these days – are you nurturing your dreams and aspirations? Feel like your life needs a major overhaul and its time you took some action? Personal Coach Arvind Devalia’s latest book will take you step by step on the exciting journey of self improvement.

Feature

The Reluctant Fundamentalist
The 9/11 attacks on New York hurl Changez, a Pakistani living in New York, into a crisis of conscience and identity. Medha Dutt reviews Mohsin Hamid’s compelling novel about a man’s reluctant return to his roots. The book is on the shortlist for the Man Booker Prize 2007.

Feature

Emerging India
The exhibition "Emerging India" was held at the Royal College of Art as part of the India Now season in London. Showcasing 45 Indian contemporary artists, the exhibition provded opportunities to chat to the artists whose work is selling like hot cakes in major international art galleries. Ricky Gosh Dastidar reports.

Feature

Wah, Kya Baat Hai London!
Circus, music, installations, giant canvases of Mumbai film posters and aerial dance performances by international artists – now, beat that! Read Sharan Bajwa’s round-up of this year’s spectacular Trafalgar Square Festival which took inspiration from the Mayor of London's India Now season.

Feature

Zoe Rahman Lets her Hair Down
Zoe Rahman, whose last studio release was in 2003, has been working hard to create new material using Bengali music from her childhood and jazz. Jai Kharbanda caught up with her in Hackney, East London, to hear her put her melodies into play.

Feature

In Fine "Company"
On 31st August Indian film maker Ram Gopal Varma will release his much awaited re-make of the 70s cult classic Sholay, entitled Ram Gopal Varma ki Aag. Khuram Javed looks at the career of the Indian film maker whose films have achieved cult status all over the world.

Feature

BHF says “Fitness First”
“30 a day” is the BHF’s latest campaign, urging elderly citizens above 50 to take steps to keep their heart healthy. So, if you abhor exercise, why not swing your dance leg every now and then? It's fun and its good for you! Mariecar Parker reports from the launch of the new campaign in East London.

Feature

Ambassador to the Past
The Hindustan Motors Ambassador, the car that has served India’s streets almost exclusively for 50 years, could soon disappear, so Dr Desi decided to take a look at the long strange trip that created India’s classic car. Researched and Written by Evan Perriello.

Feature

Live it up, Bollywood Style!
Always fancied the glitz and glamour of a Bollywood home? Momtaz Begum-Hossain’s craft book Bollywood Crafts shows how you can turn your ugly, dusty china into the most beautiful item on your mantelpiece.

Review

White Mughals
In this wonderful take on life in 18th century India, Dalrymple resurrects the love between James Achilles Kirkpatrick and the Muslim noble woman Khair un-Nissa. A fascinating read, the novel tells of a time when there were no clear demarcations between East and West. Review by Medha Dutta.

Review

Revival of the Fittest: The Eco Bag
'Fair Trade' and 'Eco friendly' unite to produce the hottest fashion item of the season: the Eco bag - designed to relieve you of your worst consumer sins: the plastic carrier bag. Affordable and environmently friendly, the eco bag has brought about the revival of granny's old shopping bag. Have you bought one lately?

Review

Independence 60
The CIMA Gallery in Kolkata recently hosted a most unusually themed art exhibition, showcasing the history of India from its birth to its present day – a history captured in the strokes of a brush. Palash Barman reports

Review

Jodhaa Akbar
Despite a larger-than-life Hrithik Roshan and a dolled-up Aishwarya Rai Bachchan, Ashutosh Gowarikar’s work of love falls 3hrs 20mins short of expectations. Medha Dutt reviews Gowarikar's epic depiction of the love between the Mughal emporer and his Hindu wife, the most-awaited release of 2008.

Review

The Solitude of Emperors
Despite a slow beginning, David Davidar’s second novel manages to hold the attention of the reader with its vivid imagery and references to the glory of India’s history. Medha Dutt reviews the book

Review

Om Shanti Om
Director Farah Khan manages to score at the box office again, aided and abetted by the unstoppable King Khan while debutante Deepika Padukone dimples demurely from under those lovely lashes. Medha Dutt reviews one of the most awaited films of the year

Review

Saawariya
Raj Kapoor’s ‘bowler-hat’ and his grandson’s ‘drop-all-act’ fail to pull in the crowds to one of the year’s biggest releases. Medha Dutt reviews the first Bollywood film financed by Hollywood.

Review

Elizabeth: The Golden Age
Shekhar Kapur's sequel to his 1998 oscar-nominated film "Elizabeth" stars Cate Blanchett as the virgin warrior queen Elizabeth I who defends England against the invasion by the Spanish. A visual treat, the film's emotional intensity is not for the faint-hearted and features Blanchett in her finest performance to date.

Review

A True Journey of Colour
Women around the world spend millions on tanning and bleaching products. Can someone’s healthy glow be another’s social stigma? Sharan Bajwa reviews Rani Moorthy’s funny and thought-provoking one-woman-show "Shades of Brown" about skin colour and identity.

Review

A Mighty Heart
Bindi Senghani reviews Michael Winterbottom's film about the kidnapping and tragic death of Wall Street journalist Daniel Pearl in Pakistan. A forceful and fast-paced film, the lead is played by Angelina Jolie with Irfan Kahn and Archie Punjabi as supporting cast.

Review

The Buddha returns
A recent screening of the four-hour long 90s BBC Drama The Buddha of Suburbia at the ICA in London marked its long-awaited release on DVD. Ricky Ghosh Dastidar revisits the film and chats to its cast and crew.

Review

Chak De, India!
Director Shimit Amin achieves what seems to be the down right impossible: he makes a sports flick that is not about cricket, dares to get King Khan on ground level - and manages to net home a stupendous hit! Medha Dutt reviews the Bollywood superhit.

Review

Nitin Sawhney and friends at the Albert Hall
Nitin Sawhney, whose musical career glitters from every angle, has received the added honour of performing at the BBC Proms. Jai Kharbanda went on the night to check out what new tricks he had up his sleeve.

Review

At Home in the World
Does the word “Bharata Natyam” ring a bell? No? Well, then you definitely ought to read this book! Janet O’Shea’s story of Bharata Natyam - the beautiful and versatile South Indian dance form, follows its journey from the temples and courts of India to the urban stage and its development into an international phenomenon.

Review

Seriously, what is wrong with everyone?
Bollywood - an embarassment or great fun? To find out what really appeals and appals we asked Bollywood newbie Erika Spaet and our expert Kusumanjali Srikant to review the recent Bollywood release Jhoom Barabar Jhoom.

Review

India Now - The Launch
From July to September 2007 London’s streets, squares, museums and performance venues will come alive with the colours, sounds, smells and tastes of India as the capital celebrates its links to the Indian subcontinent. Kusumanjali Shrikant and Mariam Sheikh report from the launch.

Review

Lord of the Rings

Astonishing special effects, acrobatics, elaborate costumes and imaginative design mark this extravagant production of Tolkien’s fantasy epic Lord of the Rings. Bithika Chatterjee reviews the show that recently opened at the Theatre Royal Drury Lane in London.

Review

Life... in a Metro
Kusumanjali Shrikant is positively surprised with Shilpa Shetty’s first movie release since winning Celebrity Big Brother in the UK earlier this year. “One of the sleekest, yet earthiest movies” this year has to offer so far, Shilpa Shetty delivers a fine performance under Anurag Basu’s direction.

Review

Looking for the Big B
“A perfect poolside read – trashy and gossip fuelled.” Sharan Bajwa looks for the Big B in Jessica Hines’ chronicle on Bollywood legend Amitabh Bachchan – and is still looking!

Review

Sacred Games
900 pages long, Sacred Games is the second novel by award-winning author Vikram Chandra. “A rich and detailed narrative - a good read. Could easily be turned into a Bollywood film!” Shafia Begum reviews the book.

Review

Provoked
It’s been touring festivals while dates for its UK release have been announced, cancelled, rescheduled and then cancelled again. Finally it has arrived on our screens in the UK: the film version of the famous Kiranjit Ahluwalia case, starring Aishwarya Rai in her best performance ever. Kusumanjali R. Shrikant reviews the film.

Review

The Namesake
“You can’t help getting a lump in your throat – every second generation immigrant, regardless of origin, can find a little bit of his or her story in Gogol’s. A rich and moving movie experience!” Nadira reviews Mira Nair's latest production.

Review

Satyagraha: Gandhi's search for truth
Based on Mahatma Gandhi’s early years in South Africa, this opera might not have an intense and dramatic operatic storyline, but is nevertheless an intriguing experience full of fantastical sights and beautiful music by Phillip Glass. Evan Perriello reviews the show.

Review

A Midsummer Night’s Dream
A colourful, passionate and compelling multi-lingual production in which dance, music, acrobatics and visual art meet to create an unforgettable theatrical experience. Sharan Bajwa reviews the show that is currently playing at the Roundhouse in London until 21 April.

Review

Film: Omkara
Vishal Bhardwaj's second attempt to bring Shakespeare to the Bollywood screen is imaginative and shines with impressive performances. Polished and well-presented, it stands out from other below-average releases this summer, but has still performed dismally at the UK box office.

Review

DVD Release: Baabul
If the trailers leave you guessing that Baabul is a collage of Ravi Chopra’s Baghban, and a couple of Karan Johan blockbusters, you are only partially wrong! Baabul has a meaningful message, a convincing story line, and intense performances. Review by Kusumanjali Shrikant

Review

Venus
Last week Hanif Kureishi’s and Roger Michell’s Venus was in the news for the wrong reasons: Peter O’Toole failed to win it an Oscar for Best Actor - a disappointing outcome for the veteran actor who delivered one of the finest performances in his career. Sharan Bajwa reviews the film.

Review

Norah Jones: Not Too Late
Norah Jones’ new album, Not Too Late, composed over her two year break from touring, includes various shades of blues, jazz, country, and folk. Jones’ signature style is maintained throughout, making it an eclectic offering with a familiar feel that is sure to please fans. Evan Perriello reviews the album.


A Green Carpet Affair A Really Big Adventure Super Coupér The Dateless Wonder Lost Luggage Zee Carnival holds its promise W11 Opera’s Chincha-Chancha Cooroo World Book Day: 1 March, 2007 DVD of the Week: Dhoom:2 THE BIG SHILPA BLOG - WIN DVDs!

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