Monday, August 31, 2009

Kalyan Singh - Satrap on a slippery turf

Once a powerful BJP satrap, Kalyan Singh is today happy to play second fiddle to SP supremo Mulayam Singh Yadav. “He lost his face and faith when he joined Mulayam,” says Hriday Narain Dikshit, UP BJP vice-president.

When he was in the BJP, the trio of Rajnath Singh, Kalraj Mishra and Lalji Tandon used every trick in the book to unseat him but in vain. On his part, he sought to queer the pitch for Vajpayee in the 1999 Lok Sabha polls. A rattled Vajpayee had to do road shows to save his turf. Kalyan was expelled from the party.

Kalyan, a lifelong RSS worker, forgot that abandoning a cadre-based party can be tricky.

For Complete IIPM Article, Click on IIPM Article

Source : IIPM Editorial, 2008

An IIPM and Professor Arindam Chaudhuri (Renowned Management Guru and Economist) Initiative

Wednesday, August 26, 2009

Who's that girl? - "IIPM News"

The makers of “Love Aaj Kal” sure pulled a fast one on Indian audiences by casting a gorgeous Brazilian model as a shy Punjabi girl. With viewers smitten and intrigued in equal measure, Anu Gulmohar's exclusive interview unravels the real face behind 'Harleen Kaur', the lovely Giselli Monteiro…

For just a 19-year-old, you’ve accomplished a fair bit. How did you start modelling?

I left home (Brazil) when I was 16 and started to pursue modelling in Europe. A talent agency spotted me and suggested I travel to Germany and Paris. With my height, I guess, they thought I would be apt for the runways in Europe.

Has acting been a vocation that has always beckoned ?

Well, I, always, wanted to indulge in creativity. But when you are at such a tender age as I was when I started off, all you want to do is work that you love to do. Fashion, movies, books have always interested me and I have always had dreams of being a character from either.

What made you choose an Indian film to debut as an actor?

The film chose me and I simply trusted my instinct and went with the flow like I have always done in my life. When something is right, a voice within simply tells you to trust and surrender, which is exactly what I did!

You were very convincing as a shy Punjabi girl in “Love Aaj Kal”. How difficult was it to fit into the character of Harleen Kaur?

My own personality is very calm and composed. In fact, it was fairly easy for me to identify with the character because I could relate to her responses of being in love and attracted to someone. As for the magic on screen, I owe it all to my director Imtiaz Ali for being such a wonderful teacher who patiently taught me every single nuance of my character Harleen.

Weren’t you afraid that such a de-glam look might not work for you?

Not at all! If my character demands it, I would much rather be beautiful and soulful than unreasonably ‘hot’ and mindless.

How do you see yourself growing as an actor? Do you plan to do more Bollywood movies?

Oh yes, now this is my playground no doubt and I am here to stay. India has welcomed me with open arms and I am going to give my 100 per cent and more back to her. Film offers are coming in but, yet again, I have a wonderful team of managers who will make sure they do what is best for me, like they always have.

What have been the highlights of your stay in India? Do you miss Brazil?

Everyone misses ‘home’. I am no different. But, India is such a warm place and the people of Mumbai are simply the best lot ever. My highlights up until now include travelling to rural India and living in the villages of Punjab (whilst filming “Love Aaj Kal”). The fields are fascinating and then the life in the city is a 360 degree turn… it’s been one exciting journey. I also travelled to Ladakh…and that was yet another mystical landscape. If I could, I would capture every single moment in a picture!

Plenty of men have been floored by your 'homely charms' in "Love Aaj Kal". So, is there a man in your life? And, while on that, what are the qualities that you would look for in the man in your life?

I am humbled by the response my character has generated. Yes, I am in love. My boyfriend, Marcos, lives in Brazil. Qualities in a man…hard working, honest and a wonderful humanitarian. What is it with Brazilians and beauty?
For Complete IIPM Article, Click on IIPM Article

Source : IIPM Editorial, 2008
An IIPM and Professor Arindam Chaudhuri (Renowned Management Guru and Economist) Initiative