Amitabh Bachchan speaks on Aamir Khan, Saawariya and the IFFI

Aamir Khan continues to justify his severe comments on Black and in the same breath he calls you the biggest star that Indian cinema has ever seen. Comment.

The only thing correct about this question is Aamir's justification of his severe comments on Black. It's his individual opinion and it must be respected. What I entirely disagree with is the largesse he offers me on being the 'biggest star of Indian Cinema'. There he has gone totally wrong. We hear a lot of Aamir recently because he has a film to release and needs to promote it. Madhuri Dixit has said that in today's day and age everyone needs to scream about their product. The age of subtle and soft marketing is over. And what is wrong if the subject of Aamir's film, which I believe deals with challenged children, needs for him to take a stand on his beliefs about the film. He did the same post the release of Rang de Basanti. His beliefs could differ from the beliefs of other makers, so what? Black, which he had issues with, won huge laurels, critically and commercially, nationally and internationally. If his is a voice of lone dissent, it's his right as an individual, living in a free society. And if his comments attract debate, it can only help in drawing attention to the product he now promotes. I think it to be very smart of him to be able to have achieved that. Is there a provision in law or society that states that one cannot be smart? And why just Aamir... in today's available mediums we all do it. So what if Shah Rukh goes to a cricket match to promote his film? I see nothing wrong with that. Does not the media dress and decorate its pages and headlines to gain maximum attention and salability? I will do it too, when my film comes up for release to assist marketing.

Your glowing comments on Saawariya have provoked a lot of debate and discussion.

The 'film not living up to expectations' has got nothing to do with my personal opinion. I stand by my comments and my observations about the film.

By comparing Ranbir Kapoor and Sonam Kapoor's performances to a symphony?

Have you heard Beethoven's symphony? There's loud orchestra followed by a thin flute sound…This was the genius composer's interpretation of desire and destiny…It's like the two protagonists in Saawariya - Ranbir is the storm, Sonam the soft breeze.



That's not what the film critics had to say?

Film criticism is a part of journalistic freedom. And it is the freedom of the reader to accept or reject it. But it's a healthy practice. It gives a point of view. A view that at times gets camouflaged in the exuberance of the offering. I read film criticism regularly. I learn from the mistakes that they bring out and at times, disagree with their assessment. That is my prerogative. At times, I use it to challenge my own self, to beat or overcome the opinion expressed. Therefore, I am happy with that. I only wish that the more recent - well, of the past 15 years or so - practice, of giving marks would not be there. It's like being sent back to school, where your mark sheet at the end of a paper or term, would turn out to be the most dreaded embarrassment!

Some of your best works, including Sholay, Agneepath, Sooryavansham and Nishabd, were severely panned.

I have two views on this. The obvious is the immense hurt of reading disparaging analysis. Somehow, if it was just a one-on-one it would be more tolerable. But to know that millions will be exposed to it is like losing your pants in the middle of a crowded street. And two, to accept it in the right spirit. There is another more personal factor - despite the criticism, were we in a position to enjoy the work that we did? Well, I've enjoyed immensely working in all the films you mentioned. I found opportunity in them that tested or challenged my creative senses. They may not have been accepted. But they were my little personal accomplishments. And that has been satisfying.

There's a distinct polarization in the film industry with the Khans and the Bachchans said to be on different sides of the firing line. Once and for all, state the nature of your rapport with Shah Rukh Khan?

I disagree with you entirely and strongly. Our film fraternity is an excellent example of happy integration. Please do not put it on a psychologist's drawing board, where expressions like these are used often to examine the political future of a party in an election process.

Finally, why weren't you at Goa Film Festival for the premiere of The Last Lear?

I was unaware of the protocol involved at the Goa Film Festival. My very busy and tight schedule kept me away from the premiere, since I was made aware of it at a very short notice.

Boost antioxidants

Add avocado to your salad. Vegetables have an unexpected downside: Many of them are virtually fat free, and you need fat in the meal to absorb cancer-fighting carotenoids.

Snack on dried figs. Dried fruits are known to be rich in antioxidants - but some of the less popular types are the most nutritious. Figs and dried plums had the best overall nutrient scores, shows recent research at the University of Scranton. A handful of dried figs (about one and a half ounce) increased "antioxidant capacity" - the ability to neutralise free radicals - by nine percent. That's more than double the increase seen after a cup of green tea.

Eat a fruit salad. Antioxidants love company: A mixture of oranges, apples, grapes, and blueberries provides five times the antioxidant power you get from eating the same fruits solo, says recent research by Liu, at Cornell. Ingredients to toss into fruit salad, ranked in order of phenolic content (a type of plant chemical that cuts the risk of chronic disease): cranberries, apples, red grapes, strawberries, pineapples, bananas, peaches, oranges, and pears.



Protect your stomach from bugs

Turn down your fridge. If the setting is over 40∞F, your food is sitting in the danger zone - the temperature at which bacteria begin to multiply.

Lack of awareness and stigma contributes to spread of AIDS

Acquired immune deficiency syndrome or acquired immunodeficiency syndrome, HIV/AIDS, is a collection of symptoms and infections resulting from the specific damage to the immune system caused by the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) in humans and similar viruses in other species (SIV, FIV, etc.). The late stage of the condition leaves individuals susceptible to opportunistic infections and tumors. Although treatments for AIDS and HIV exist to decelerate the virus' progression, there is currently no known cure.

Low levels of awareness about HIV/AIDS and the social stigma associated with the disease are contributing to its spread in Pakistan. Recently a nation wide campaign has been launched to educate the masses about the disease and its preventions. Massive participation is required for reducing the stereotypes and stigma attributed to this disease. Numerous researches have been conducted in order to device efficient and effective strategies and to know what is the level of awareness among the local people.

According to an online news report, "the rate of HIV prevalence in Pakistan is 0.1 percent. The number of cases increasing among high-risk groups -- such as the country's 150,000 injection drug users and men who have sex with men." In addition, the stigma associated with these populations has kept most people from reporting their HIV-positive status. About 3,700 HIV/AIDS cases have been registered officially in the country since 1986, but the World Health Organisation (WHO) and UN AIDS say that there are about 200,000 cases. The World Bank also says that limited surveillance and voluntary HIV/AIDS counselling and testing services, combined with a lack of education among health professionals and the general population, are contributing to the spread of the disease.

A survey released by the Punjab AIDS Control Programme found that 87 percent of people in eight districts of Punjab had heard of HIV. Twenty-six percent of respondents said that they were aware that HIV can be transmitted through risky sexual behaviour; 23 percent said that they knew that HIV can be transmitted by reusing needles; six percent said that they knew that blood transfusions pose a risk; and four percent said that they knew that condoms help prevent HIV. Some advocates have launched media campaigns and lobbied government officials in the country to help promote HIV/AIDS awareness. The government has adopted new awareness targets that seek to reach 25 percent of the population in each high-risk group including commercial sex workers and trans-gendered people by the end of 2007, with an ultimate target of 60 percent by 2010.

Akbar Babar, a private consultant who carried out the Punjab study, said that increased resources are needed to conduct an HIV/AIDS awareness campaign in the country. "We all know awareness campaigns are expensive, electronic media is expensive, but extremely poor levels of awareness about HIV and its transmission routes should convince policymakers that we need to allocate a lot more (resources) so that the media reports can be more intense," he said, calling for a significant boost in funds, particularly for television.

Exercise gene could help with depression

Boosting an exercise-related gene in the brain works as a powerful anti-depressant in mice-a finding that could lead to a new anti-depressant drug target, according to a Yale School of Medicine. "The VGF exercise-related gene and target for drug development could be even better than chemical antidepressants because it is already present in the brain," said Ronald Duman, professor of psychiatry and senior author of the study. Currently available anti-depressants help 65 percent of patients and require weeks to months before the patients experience relief. Duman said, "it is known that exercise improves brain function and mental health, and provides protective benefits in the event of a brain injury or disease, but how this all happens in the brain is not well understood." He and his colleagues designed a custom microarray that was optimised to show small changes in gene expression, particularly in the brain's hippocampus, a limbic structure highly sensitive to stress hormones, depression, and anti-depressants.

Fever can briefly unlock autistic brain

Over the past few decades, parents and clinicians have observed that the behaviours of children with autism spectrum disorders (ASD) tend to improve, sometimes rather dramatically, during a fever. Longer concentration spans, increased language production, improved eye contact and better overall relations with adults and peers have all been reported. In a study, researchers from the Kennedy Krieger Institute in Baltimore, Maryland confirmed, for the first time, parent and clinician reports that the behaviour of children with ASD improves with fever. The study evaluated children with ASD during and after an episode of fever and found that fewer autistic-like behaviours were recorded for children with fever compared to controls. Understanding how fever affects the behaviours of children with ASD may provide insight into the causes of the disorder and potential treatment opportunities.

Khuda Kay Liye

But what we really suggest you do this Eid is catch Zibahkhana in the theatres. There is something refreshing about this new breed of directors for whom the surprising success of Khuda Kay Liye has opened doors. Proving all the stalwarts of the film industry wrong, who historically maintained that a film without naach gana wouldn't work, Shoaib Mansoor has paved the way for a new exciting kind of cinema in Pakistan. It is a brave new frontier that is no longer seeking to emulate Bollywood. Zibahkhana is another endeavour in that direction. This is nothing like Bhoot or Darna Mana Hai or the many Indian horror films that have come out. Zibahkhana is classic camp horror in the best possible way.

And if it has anything in common with Khuda Kay Liye, it is that Zibahkhana too gives one that warmth that comes from watching something rooted in one's own world. The youngsters in Zibahkhana could be from any metropolis in Pakistan and their travels through the woods in Isloo will strike a chord with anyone who has ever been there. And for that pleasure alone this slash fest is worth a watch.




StarBytes

Mekaal Hasan is the hottest producer around right now

He just wrapped up production on Jal's new album, Boondh and these days, it is Ali Azmat's Klashnifolk that is consuming most of Mekaal's time.

To his credit, Mekaal has made sure that Boondh sounds crisp and it is just that.

Undoubtedly Mekaal Hasan is the most in-demand music producer in Pakistan these days. Rohail Hyatt and Shahi Hasan are the only other music producers who can really match Mekaal's production wizardry. But strangely enough, most artists opt to go to Mekaal.

Among other records that Mekaal is producing includes Zeb and Haniya's debut album. According to the girls' website, "Recording began in the first week of February 2007 at Mekaal Hasan's Digital Fidelity Studio in Lahore. The tracking completed, the album moved into the editing and mixing phase in August 2007, and the band is currently waiting for Mekaal to complete the album so they can get it to listeners as soon as possible."

The only thing is what takes priority? With so many albums to produce, it usually means that some albums will be given more priority. And Mekaal's own songs with his band, Mekaal Hasan Band, are also being produced at the same studio. So it seems that release dates of Klashnifolk as well as the highly anticipated debut of Zeb and Haniya will depend on Mekaal Hasan and how soon he can finish the records.



Abhishek and Aishwarya break the ice with Shah Rukh KhanRiteish Deshmukh's birthday bash saw most of his Bollywood friends turn up. The seniors were not invited so it was basically a gathering of the young and restless. "The oldest in the group, I think, was Shah Rukh Khan. Riteish's dad was also missing," one source said.

However, the highlight of the party was the fact that Shah Rukh and wife Gauri were seen bonding with Abhishek Bachchan and Aishwarya Rai. So much so, that the two couples almost spent the whole evening chatting with each other. Just why this comes as a surprise is that SRK and Ash have not really been on great terms and moreover, the entire Bachchan family seemed miffed with King Khan. However, this was a night when all the animosity seemed to have melted away. It had to happen sooner or later; after all, Aishwarya did end up with Abhishek and not Salman whose behaviour on the sets of Chalte Chalte created the violence with Ash in the first place.

Later the same night, Abhishek and Ash burned the dance floor when Jhoom Barabar Jhoom songs were played and then SRK joined wife Gauri on the dance floor when Om Shanti Om songs were being played. It seems that Indian stars dance to their own tunes. Gauri, however, did not restrict herself to one or two songs - she danced through the night along with designer Sabina Khan, Kunal Kapoor, Arshad Warsi, Neelam Kothari, Bobby Deol and his wife, Tanya. DJ Suketu was spinning at the party. The only couple who stayed away from the dance floor and seemed entirely caught up with each other were Arjun Rampal and Meher Jessia.

But ultimately it is the Shah Rukh-Aishwarya-Abhishek triangle that is sorted at long last and of that we are glad!



Matt Damon and Eddie Veddar to teach 'people's history



Actor Matt Damon, whose been riding high on the success of his film, Bourne Ultimatum along with Eddie Veddar, front man of Pearl Jam, will both contribute their talents to a documentary miniseries based on historian-author Howard Zinn's 1980 book, A People's History of the United States.

Titled The People Speak, the project will feature music and readings based on America's struggles with war, class, race and the rights of women.

Eddie Veddar has always been outspoken and his association with films dates back to 1995's Dead Man Walking. And since then he has been involved with soundtracks including Sean Penn's recent film, Into The Wild.

Matt isn't far behind. Along with buddies George Clooney, Brad Pitt and Don Cheadle, Matt has been raising funds for Darfur.

Other than Matt and Eddie, Viggo Mortensen, Josh Brolin, Danny Glover and Kerry Washington will provide performances for the project, which will interweave archival footage, photographs and interviews. Eddie Vedder and R&B singer John Legend will handle the music.

And this really is the way to make documentaries have a mass appeal. When such high profile names team up together, it leads to curiosity and is bound to get noticed. So here's to Matt and Eddie, these guys just know how to use their star power to the hilt! We really wish our musicians and actors would learn to do the same!

Walk for health

The rising incidence of diabetes has created an alarming situation worldwide. Pakistan is one of the countries having the highest number of diabetics and facing an epidemic of diabetes. According to World Health Organisation (WHO), estimates, there are presently more than seven million diabetics in Pakistan and this number will increase to 16 million by 2025. Another six million or more are suffering from Impaired Glucose Tolerance, which means they are at high risk of developing diabetes. This ranks Pakistan 8th in the world as far as the number of the diabetics is concerned and according to WHO estimation, Pakistan will be placed 4th in this regard by the year 2025. These figures make diabetes an epidemic and call for an immediate action.

To make people vigilant of this situation diabetes awareness walk was organised recently by the National Diabetes and Diabetic Foot Programme at Boat Basin, Karachi. It was inaugurated by Prof FU Baqai, Vice Chancellor of Baqai Medical University and Prof Abdul Samad Shera, Honorary President International Diabetes Federation and Secretary General Pakistan Diabetes Association. The purpose of the walk was to create awareness in the people in general, regarding diabetes, its prevention and management and to stress the importance and need of regular physical activity and exercise.

Change in the life style from sedentary to more active with regular physical exercise and balanced diet rather than the high calorie fatty and sugary diet can prevent diabetes in a large proportion of people. The programme is a nationwide diabetes project, launched jointly by the World Diabetes Foundation (WDF), and Baqai Institute of Diabetology and Endocrinology (BIDE), with an aim to giving knowledge regarding diabetes, to initiate the prevention of diabetes and to improve the diabetes care and the diabetic foot care nationwide.

A number of stalls were there at the starting point of the walk providing literature and verbal information about diabetes and its prevention and management. Moreover, free blood-sugar and cholesterol tests were provided and Body Mass Index (a criterion for obesity) was measured.

Health update

Replace sugar with buckwheat honey. This sweet substance has been used for medicinal purposes since ancient times; when it's applied to a wound, honey is a natural antibacterial salve. Now researchers say that its benefits may be much more than skin deep. Test-tube studies show that honey slows the oxidation of LDL cholesterol.

Cool hot flashes

Breathe deeply. "Slow, deep abdominal breathing can reduce the frequency of hot flashes by about half," according to three recent studies. Estrogen withdrawal is partly to blame for hot flashes, but researchers believe that stress also plays a role by firing up the sympathetic nervous system. Sit in a comfortable chair and allow your breath to deepen. Inhale through your nose; exhale through your mouth. Close your eyes to cut out distraction. Let your belly be soft - you want it to rise and fall with each breath.

Boost your health in almost no time

What if you could cut your risk of heart disease, get fitter, and slow aging - not to mention protect your smile? Better health does take time, but not as much as you may think. Yes, you should exercise 30 minutes a day and sleep seven to eight hours a night. But top experts in nutrition, cardiovascular health, and cancer prevention know the super-simple, amazingly fast steps you can take to dramatically improve your well being. So take a minute or so ... and boost your health in almost no time flat.



Fight cancer

Eat the peel. The bulk of an apple's benefit lies in its skin. In a recent lab experiment, more than a dozen chemicals in the peels of red apples inhibited the growth of breast, liver, and colon cancer cells.

Take the right supplements. Getting enough vitamin D and calcium brings a remarkable reduction in cancer risk, found a recent four year study at Creighton University: Women who took the combo reduced their overall risk by up to 77 percent. "Vitamin D enhances your body's immune response - which is the first line of defence against cancer," says lead researcher Joan Lappe, PhD, RN, a professor of nursing and medicine.



Slow aging

Sniff some lavender or rosemary. The scent of lavender can bring you a restful night's sleep - but the plant can do you a world of good in daylight, too. In a recent study, volunteers sniffed the essential oils of lavender or rosemary for five minutes. Result: Levels of the stress hormone cortisol in saliva dropped as much as 24 percent. That's good, because the hormone increases blood pressure and suppresses the immune system. What's more, people who smelled low concentrations of lavender or high concentrations of rosemary were better at getting rid of free radicals, the pesky molecules believed to speed aging and disease.



Cut cholesterol

Sprinkle pistachios on your salad. Researchers at Pennsylvania State University recently gave volunteers a pleasant task of eatingone a half ounces (about a handful) of pistachios every day. At the end of four weeks, those who munched the nuts reduced their total cholesterol by an average of almost seven percent. That reduction has a major payoff: Cutting your total cholesterol by about seven percent reduces your heart disease risk by 14 percent. "Pistachios are one of the best sources of plant sterols, compounds we know reduce absorption of cholesterol," says researcher Penny Kris-Etherton, PhD, RD, who led the study.

Australian Open: anti-corruption measures adopted

MELBOURNE: Australian Open organisers have introduced anti-corruption measures designed to prevent illegal gambling and match-fixing during next month's grand slam tournament.

Tennis Australia on Friday unveiled its anti-corruption policy, which includes a hotline to report alleged corruption, a ban on unauthorised use of laptop computers courtside and enhanced security measures designed to restrict access to players.

The moves follows reports of suspicious betting activity on several overseas matches this year, as well as players claiming they had been approached to throw matches.

TA chief executive Steve Wood said strict sanctions would apply for players and their support staff for breaches of the policy, ranging from fines to life bans.

Offenders could also face prison terms, with offences arising from match-fixing facing a maximum of 15 years' jail under Victorian state law.

"We don't believe our sport has a corruption problem but we do recognise that a threat to the integrity of tennis exists," Wood said.

The January 14-27 Australian Open is the first grand slam tournament to introduce such measures.

Tennis Australia's newly-established Anti-Corruption Commission (TAACC) will be chaired by Brian Collis, QC, and former detective Sal Perna will be its investigative officer.

"We've conducted a thorough analysis of the issue and consulted with a variety of stakeholders, including other sporting organisations, betting agencies and law enforcement," Wood said.

15 dead in Tajikistan avalanche

DUSHANBE: At least 15 people were killed when an avalanche swept down onto a road linking capital Dushanbe with northern Tajikistan, the Central Asian state's interior ministry was quoted as saying on Saturday.

"We extracted 15 bodies from underneath the snow, it is unknown how many remain there," the ministry's spokesman Khudoinazar Asoyev said.

"A massive avalanche Friday closed off a mountain road, trapping large cargo trucks travelling from the north to Dushanbe. Yet another avalanche crashed down on the vehicles when they stopped," Asoyev added.

The country's emergency situations ministry so far confirmed only two casualties.