Talk of the town

He is not really young. Like most of his successful contemporaries, he danced around the trees of Bollywood much after he had tied the nuptial knot and declared his happy marriage to one and all. Hot property down the Tamil film industry, the ``Ghar Jamai'' has finally made his entry into Bollywood with ``Rehna Hain Tere Dil Main'' .

Madhavan aka Maddy is not your run of the mill hero. He does not come from a filmi background for one, and does not seem to have, fortunately enough, succumbed to Bollyood's ways so far.

And even if you were to ignore that million dollar smile that first got him noticed as the anchor of ``Tol Mol ke Bol'' or the confidence with which he charmed his way into the heart of youngsters as the peppy Ashley of ``Banegi Apni Baat'', there is always abundance of energy and talent to get him noticed.

For someone who was chosen by none other than Mani Ratnam for his debut, Madhavan does surprise one by laughing off his being called the Hrithik Roshan of the South. ``I think more than anything, these comparisons are unfair on Hrithik. He is a sensation here while I have yet to achieve the kind of following that he has here,'' the actor says.

With his first Hindi film ``Rehna Hain Tere Dil Mein'' receiving rave reviews and a good feedback from the audience, the actor seems to have already stuck a rapport with the audience here.

Asked whether he will be accepted here, the actor says he is confident on that front. ``If people here had not accepted me as a TV star, the other breaks may not have come. People here known me as Ashley or Ghar Jamai, and not as the star of `Alaipayuthe' . I was accepted here much before I because known in South,'' he says.

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The Union Urban Development Minister, Mr. Ananth Kumar, seems to be in a tearing hurry to ride the popularity bandwagon, or at least trying to give an impression that he is at par with his predecessor, Mr. Jagmohan.

Or else how could one explain that he is leaving no stone unturned to be in the public eye, whether it is riding on a road roller and posing for camera along with other BJP leaders or for that matter going for a surprise check in the morning taking due credit for the same?

Well aware that that every step of his is being closely watched, Mr. Kumar and his close staff are monitoring several developmental works even from distant Bangalore, his constituency, where the Minister religiously visits every weekend.

While Mr. Jagmohan summoned officials even on holidays, Mr. Kumar reportedly enquires on the telephone from Bangalore about the progress of various activities, especially the demolitions being carried out by Delhi Development Authority, Land and Development Organisation and Central Public Works Department. And every time one thing or the other is demolished, officials from his publicity wing makes sure to call up every newspaper office to ensure that the news is carried.

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When it comes to Indian cuisine, renowned gastronome, celebrated columnist, author and consultant -- Jiggs Kalra -- is particular not only about its substance and character but also about the various customs and traditions attached.

This not only adorns the rich repertoire of his recipes but speaks volumes about his research and knowledge capabilities. Be it recipe from any part of the country, this epicure has its preparations and the nuances involved on his fingertips.

Sharing some of his knowledge at a function organised last week, Jiggs Kalra recalled how tradition and culture formed an indispensable part of every Indian's life even when it comes to eating habits.

``For instance, in Hyderabad, a person will never ask his expectant daughter-in-law when she was giving birth to her child. Instead, he will ask -- biryani kab khila rahi ho (when are you serving biryani),'' said the gourmet, adding that ``biryani'' enjoys a special place when it comes celebrations in Hyderabadi homes.

Such folklore were also associated with other places, he added, showering praise on how Indians have continued to savour their traditional cuisines.

(By Lakshmi Balakrishnan, Lalit K. Jha and Sandeep Joshi).

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