Priya Adivarekar || Diary of a Dancebee - Lifestyle | Bollywood | Fashion | Beauty

The 18th edition of Jio MAMI Mumbai Film Festival with Star, has 170+ films selected from all over the world. While we discussed our international favourites in a special series, we have also got several Indian films taking centre stage. This year, they have been distributed largely into three categories: India Gold, India Story and Discovering India. Also, not to forget, the 'Marathi Talkies' section, which also includes some remarkable films.

Like last year, this year too, an Indian Film - Konkana Sen Sharma’s directorial debut ‘A Death in the Gunj’ opens the festival at Royal Opera House in Mumbai. With Indian Films are all set to entertain the audiences at MAMI, we help you pick some of the best on the list. Don’t miss out on our Indian films, that have been made with a lot of hard word, determination and dedication, by our desi filmmakers.

Lipstick Under My Burkha (India Gold)

Director: Alankrita Shrivastava

The film weaves together life of one burqa-clad college girl, a young beautician, a mother of three and a 55-year-old widow who rediscovers her sexuality. The film is produced by Prakash Jha, while his assistant director Alankrita Shrivastava wears the director’s cap in this one. The film is packed with a renowned cast and is also going to premiere at the 29^th Tokyo International Film Festival 2016.

Autohead (India Gold)
Director: Rohit Mittal

The Autohead trailer has already driven most of the people insane and now, the film is all set to create some serious buzz at MAMI. This edgy documentary revolves around a film crew following a crazy rickshaw driver’s increasingly destructive adventures, across the suburbs of Mumbai. The film is directed, written by Rohit Mittal, who also stars in the film. Autohead was part of Hong Kong International Film Festival (the only Indian film selected there) and Sitges Film Festival in Spain.

Loev (India Gold)
Director: Sudhanshu Saria

LOEV is about a weekend between friends, where chances are missed, truths evaded and among all the stumbles, it shows how love unexpectedly prevails. Loev has travelled to more than 35 film festivals, including South By Southwest, BFI, Tallinn Black Nights (World Premiere), Tel Aviv International Film Festival (Audience Prize), Jeonju International Film Festival, Frameline among others. Actor Arfi Lamba, who was seen in films like Fukrey, has produced the film under his banner - Bombay Berlin film productions. The banner also has another film, The Road to Mandalay, that will be screened at the festival this year.

An Insignificant Man (Discovering India)
Directors: Khushboo Ranka, Vinay Shukla

This 100-minute film has been distilled from over 400 hours of behind-the-scene footage, shot over a course of two years, with a fly-on-the-wall approach. The film follows now Delhi chief minister Arvind Kejriwal and his Aam Aadmi (Common Man’s) Party – an insurgent new political party, as they wield basic public issues like water, electricity, and graft against the country’s oldest and most powerful two political establishments. The film had its World premiere at Toronto International Film Festival and has been screened at BFI London Film Festival, Warsaw International Film Festival, Busan International Film Festival and finally, will now have it's India Premiere at MAMI.

The Cinema Travellers (India Gold)
Directors: Shirley Abraham, Amit Madheshiya

The only Indian feature-film to be selected at Cannes earlier this year is an enthralling portrait of the fast-fading journey of the ‘Traveling Cinemas’ of India. A benevolent showman, a shrewd exhibitor and a maverick projector mechanic bear a beautiful burden - to keep the last traveling cinemas of the world running. The film has also been screened at Sydney Film Festival - Australian Premiere, Toronto International Film Festival - North American Premiere, New York Film Festival - US Premiere, Busan International Film Festival - Asian Premiere.

Marathi Talkies: The Marathi Talkies section is screening last year’s hit compilation Bioscope, Rajesh Mapuskar’s family comedy Ventilator, Sachin Kundalkar’s joint-family generational drama Rajwade and Sons and Punarvasu Naik’s satirical thriller Vakratunda Mahakaaya.

Just a few hours to go, before cinephiles rush from one move hall to another, in order to witness some pure cinematic bliss. For those of you who still haven't registered, go get it done right away. You don't wanna miss these amazing films for anything.

Follow us on Facebook | Instagram | Twitter& Snapchat as we bring you live updates, exciting buzz and lots of filmy stories from Jio MAMI Mumbai Film Festival. Join the conversation using #DancebeeatMAMI and if you are around, do come and say hi!

Regulars at Jio MAMI Mumbai Film Festival 2016 know that once the festival kickstarts, life is never the same again for an entire week. A typical MAMI delegate's day starts as early 8 am, schedule in one hand and maybe, coffee in another. bookmyshow becomes a permanent bookmark on your desktop, as you log on to book a seat for your 'must watch' shows, scheduled for the next day (good ol' advance booking). All this, while secretly praying for availability. Of course, rest of the day is spent hopping from one screening (and cinema hall) to another, enjoying the magic of world cinema. For those familiar with the routine, these words may have made you smile. And we are quite sure, Day 01 was similar for most of you. Well, here's what it looked like for Team Dancebee.

For us, the day began with a lot of chaos. Technical errors delayed bookings for shows scheduled on Oct 22. However, 15 minutes later, things got normal. By 8:45 am, most shows were full. However, we were assured of 20% reservation for on-ground bookings at the venue, apart from the general queue. This, of course, came as a huge sight of relief to us. We packed our bags and head out to attend our respective commitments for the day. While Priya chose PVR Phoenix, Team Dancebee's Rasika picked PVR ECX.

While we thought our worries were restricted to just the technical errors, there was more. At ECX, confusion led to chaos at most screenings. Delegates in the general line had to make do with front row seats only. There were arguments and hassles almost before every screening. It was like watching a film outside the audi. However, the situation at Phoenix was completely the opposite. Most afternoon screenings were empty, and the entire on-ground booking process was quite smooth. There was no chaos or argument of any sort. Cinephiles were spotted enjoying a chat or hot cuppa at the nearby Starbucks outlet, in between shows. Nobody rushed ahead of others, and the atmosphere was great.

(Top to Bottom) - Keith Mainland's Tower and Pankaj Johar's Cecilia

While Priya had to miss her first screening for the day - I Called Him Morgan, due to unavoidable reasons, she caught up with Keith Mainland's documentary Tower, based on the University of Texas shootings in 1966. The film is a mix of rotoscopic animation and archival footage, which is predominately used to depict the series of events. It also includes interviews, including that of the witnesses, police among others. Pankaj Johar's Cecilia followed next, a documentary based on the crisis and confusion faced by Johar's house help Cecilia Hasda, after her daughter goes missing and becomes a victim of child trafficking. The film perfectly explores the poignant journey of Cecilia, the vicious circle of child trafficking and the ugly twists and turns that one has to face, in order to achieve justice in this country. Truly, an eye opener!

(Top to Bottom) - Certain Women and Wild

For Rasika, the two films she watched on Day 1 revolved around strong and distinct characters. The story was like a background theme, and the characters stood out extensively. Certain Women explores a handful of intersecting lives and focuses on three women, who led a normal life, and are creating their own path in life, while living in a small town. Next, the German film - Wild, made the audience go speechless. The female protagonist (Lilith Stangenberg) took her performance to another level of wildness.

As the day came to an end, we got back to work and life, all ready to set our alarms for another early morning (and some mad rush for Sunday show bookings). In addition, we are looking forward to the much awaited Movie Mela, a two-day film extravaganza that has some fun sessions in store.

Don't forget to follow us on Facebook | Twitter | Snapchat | Instagram for live updates from the event or join the conversation with the hashtag #DancebeeatMAMI!

Text by: Priya Adivarekar, Rasika Pote

Compiled by: Priya Adivarekar

You've read all about our first day at the festival in an earlier post. After a mad rush at the bookings, we finally managed to secure seats for our favourite picks during the weekend. Of course, we knew it wasn't gonna be easy and had to let go of some films, due to unavailability. Weekend at the cinemas saw a huge crowd. People were literally seen camping out and queuing up hours before the screening, just to ensure they catch up with their favourite film. Here's a round up of our weekend watch at the Jio MAMI Mumbai Film Festival 2016.

Day 2 kickstarted with the most dark, unsettling, psychological-horror film, The Neon Demon. Certain visuals in the film were nicely crafted, but as the story progressed, it somehow made the breakfast (morning show, remember) churn in your tummy. After wrapping up some commitments in between, we got back to the cinemas to end our day with a fun, satirical Saudi Arabian film, Barakah meets Barakah. The theatre was packed, with people rushing to grab a preferred seat, and later, even sitting in the front row seats, to enjoy the film. Barakah meets Barakah was an irony of how the moral police in Saudi Arabia, and the whole society at large, is caged and deprived of freedom of expression, art and love.

When it's the MAMI week, even a Sunday is packed with schedules and day filled with other work commitments. For us, Day 3 was full of experimental cinema. We started off with the much anticipated French-German-Belgian psychological thriller - Elle. While the film had an interesting plot, it unfortunately could not hold our attention for long. Our afternoon pick certainly set the tone right. Swiss Army Man received a thunderous applause from the audience. The chemistry between the lead actors, Paul Dano and Daniel Radcliffe was spectacular, making the audience fall in love with their world. Our Sunday ended with Madly, a global anthology film with six stories of modern love. However, we personally felt it was full of loose ends and random stories. Definitely not worth the hype.

It's Day 4 at the cinema and we look forward to watching some good films. It also marks the premiere of 'Marathi Talkies', where four beautiful Marathi films will be showcased. Watch this space to know more about our day at the cinemas.

‘Mohabbat junoon hai, par dosti sukoon hai’ – once again, film maker Karan Johar has tried to redefine relationships. This time, creating a blend of some old moments, to present something new. The feeling that connects Alizeh (Anushka Sharma ) & Ayaan (Ranbir Kapoor) and creates a bond between the two for a lifetime. In the picturesque backdrop of London and Paris, Karan weaves his story of love, friendship and heartbreak.

For Alizeh, sky is the limit. She comes across as a full of fun, vibrant, audacious girl; with wings firmly attached to her boots. At heart, Alizeh is filmy, and has a bucket list full of filmy dreams. Alize is head over heels in love with DJ Ali ( Fawad Khan). Despite being heartbroken, she takes the risk and gives love another chance to be disappointed again. The first half of ADHM clearly belongs to Anushka, who shines as the true hero of this film. On the other side, we have Ayaan - a filthy rich guy, with perks including a private jet, but dreams of a life that is filled with only pure music and love. As Ayaan, Ranbir successfully transforms into a passionate lover and does complete justice to his character. His chemistry with Anushka forms a great connect between the audience and their special relationship, which goes way beyond love.

While, major part of the film rests on Ayaan and Alizeh's (Ranbir & Anushka) shoulders, Aishwarya Rai Bachchan as Sabah steals your heart with her fabulous performance. Things are all sad and gloomy, but suddenly, Sabah enters the scene and brightens up our screens with her charm and charismatic personality. In the second half, Aishwarya's Sabah leads and shines with her grace, elegance and beauty. The actress looks absolutely stunning and needless to say, this is definitely of her career best performances.

Ae Dil Hai Mushkil is the perfect entertaining combination of powerful performance, Pritam's melodious tracks (and some good ol' retro tracks) adding a nice touch to the overall 'Vaatavaran' (if I may say so), mesmerising dialogues, some seriously surprising and fun guest appearances, friendship ka sukoon and of course, mohaabat ka junoon.

Verdict:‘Samjhaoge toh khud samajh jaoge, aur samajh gayye toh bikhar jaoge’ – If you ever felt a special connect with someone, who is equally mad and crazy as you, then this film is definitely a must watch (or even otherwise, honestly).

With her latest release Ae Dil Hai Mushkil, running successfully across the globe, Anushka Sharma is winning hearts and earning praises for her flawless portrayal of Alizeh. We are quite sure the actress is enjoying a truly happy Diwali. While her on-screen role continues to earn accolades, off screen too, the actress hasn't disappointed us with her sartorial choices, especially during the promotions of ADHM. One stunning look after another, Anushka gave us some major festive style goals. We take a look at some of our favourites.

Anushka for ADHM promotions - Sabyasachi

Anushka attended a popular comedy show, along with her co-actors from the film. We are head over heels in love with this black and gold Sabyasachi outfit (earlier seen on the runway at Lakmè Fashion Week W/F 2016). Her stylist, Allia, accessorised the look with a studded necklace by Kishandas Jewellery. We love how the overall look has been kept simple, with sleek centre parted hair and subtle make up, allowing the necklace and gold detailing on the outfit to stand out.

Anushka for ADHM promotions - Manish Malhotra

Earlier today, the actress was spotted celebrating Diwali with the media at a suburban multiplex. After a short press conference, the actress was seen lighting diyas and distributing sweets, in this beautiful Manish Malhotra saree. She accessorised the look with a pair of jhumkas and a gold bangle. Her MUA, Puneet Saini, has done a great job with all of Anushka's looks for ADHM promotions. Here, she has opted for a natural look, with slightly flushed cheeks and rose pink lips. Centre parted updo and a pair of metallic flats completed her look.

Anushka for ADHM promotions - Anita Dongre

For the second episode of the same comedy show, where she earlier sported a Sabyasachi outfit, Anushka chose a gorgeous ivory Anita Dongre outfit, with a long gold embroidery jacket. A pair of earrings by Curio Cottage and ring by Kishandas Jewellery added a nice touch of festive bling to the look. Smokey eyes, nude lips and hair tied into an updo; Anushka was ready to glam it up!

Anushka for ADHM promotions - Abu Jani Sandeep Khosla

One of our favourite looks on the chirpy actress, Anushka chose a canary yellow areesa kamarband multi-kali by Abu Jani and Sandeep Khosla for a reality show. The hand embroidered outfit, with mirror and zardozi work, looked like a dream on Anushka, who ditched accessories and opted for a natural look with tousled waves.

Anushka for ADHM promotions - Manish Malhotra

For a promotional event, Anushka chose a midnight blue Manish Malhotra anarkali, with gold sleeves, dupatta and embellished buttons. We like how the actress opted for statement earrings by Isharya, a neat, centre parted bun, minimal make up and a tiny bindi to go with the outfit. This 'Diwali' ready look is flawless. Perfect for those who like to keep it simple, yet make a strong impact with their outfit.

Anushka for ADHM promotions - Sukriti & Aakriti

Just a few days before the big release, Anushka and her co-star Ranbir Kapoor, were spotted visiting the sets of some popular television shows. For one such appearance, Anushka picked a salmon pink dress with metallic detailing by Sukriti & Aakriti. She accessorised this look with a pair of statement earrings (clearly, her favourite accessory this season) by Amrapali Jewels. Once again, the make up was simple, with eyebrows on fleek and rose pink lips. Oh, and we love that crown braid!

Have you seen Ae Dil Hai Mushkil yet? (psst! go read our review to know more about the film) 2016 is clearly Anushka's year, with two powerful and completely different performances as Aarfa (Sultan) and Alizeh (ADHM). More power to you, girl!

Love,

The Dancebee

Seasons greetings to one and all! Tis' the festival of lights, joy, happiness and warmth. We hope you've had a wonderful Diwali weekend with your loved ones, making each moment a memorable one. While on one side, we have got festivities on in full swing, we are also ushering in the wedding season, which will be at it's peak in the coming months. The last season (early 2016) was an important one for most friends, as they tied the knot and welcomed a new phase in their lives. Once again, the time to celebrate great Indian weddings is upon us and most of us can do with all the inspiration possible to look elegant (and get some good pictures with our besties, while we are at it). So, I recently created this simple Indian festive / wedding special look using products by MAC Cosmetics (including a few products from their festive range). Read on to get a step-by-step tutorial to achieve this look.

Look: The Festive Emerald - Gold Eye

Step 1 - Face: Start off by hydrating your skin with a moisturiser. With winter setting in, you definitely don't want any dry skin patches. Then, add a few spritz of MAC Prep + Prime Fix+

Step 2 - Foundation: Use a foundation brush and apply MAC Studio Sculpt SPF 15 foundation. I use the shade NC 40. Blend well, to ensure you get a natural finish. Since I also have a slightly oily T-zone, I used the MAC Studio Fix Powder Plus Foundation to set a few areas.

Step 3 - Concealer - Use a concealer to cover blemishes, if any. I used the MAC Select Cover Up for the spots, in NC 35.

Step 4 - Eyes: Start off by contouring the eye with Embark (eyeshadow - part of the Light Festival Eye Shadow x 9 palette). Tightly line the eyes with Modern Twist Kajal Liner in Squid. Next, use Embark again; this time to the outer corner of the eye. Smudge it slightly for a soft, smoky look (optional). Use Amber Lights (a soft gold eye shadow, part of the same palette) across the lid. Then, use Humid (a gorgeous emerald eye shadow in the palette) on the lower lash line and smudge it out slightly for a dramatic, smoky green effect (optional). Lastly, curl your lashes and apply a coat of MAC Haute and Naughty mascara. Since I didn't want to opt for a heavily smoky look, I smudged Embark and Humid a little less, and highlighted my eyes more using Amber Lights.

Step 5 - Brows: Groom your eyebrows well. I used the MAC Eye Brows Pencil (mechanical) in Stylized.

Step 6: Cheeks - Use Powder Blush in Pinch Me to add a subtle, flushed cheeks effect. Apply a bit of MAC mineralize skin finish in Soft & Gentle for a soft yet glamorous highlight.

Step 7: Lips - Hydrate your lips a few minutes before using the lipstick (use a good non-scented / flavoured lip balm). Then, outline your lips using MAC lip pencil in Cranberry, and finish with lipstick Mehr (matte).

Step 8: Finally, a light spritz of MAC Prep + Prime Fix+ is all you need to seal your make up and look festive / wedding ready!

For accessories, I chose a pair of traditional jhumkas (originally from Chennai). Since the outfit had some interesting pearl embroidery on the neck and collar, I did not opt for any necklace. Instead, I opted for a ring bracelet, which added an ethnic touch to the overall look. For those who don't own a pair of jhumkas, a pair of statement earrings would also work. You can also chose some unique finger rings or other accessories for your hand, especially if your outfit is sleeveless.

Photography: Ranveer Lovely Dua

Hair: Ree Shik (for Team Dancebee)

Location Courtesy: J W Marriott, Sahar (Mumbai)

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Love,

The Dancebee

I am quite sure most of you have heard about Pantene's 14 day challenge, and how the brand's latest launch - Pantene Pro-V hair fall shampoo and conditioner, promises to get rid of hair fall. Perhaps, the stylish TVC starring actress Anushka Sharma (brand ambassador of the brand) might ring a bell. Well, the brand challenged us to take up the 14 day test recently and we thought it was an interesting activity. Especially since any kind of changes in the weather (which we are experiencing now), plus humidity and all the heat (thanks to styling products) leaves our hair feeling dry and rough at the end of the day (and I love reviewing new products for you guys anyway). So, I took up the challenge and gave the latest launch a spin. Read on to know my experience and how the product fared.

What? - Pantene PRO-V Hair Fall Control Shampoo and Conditioner

Price: Shampoo - Rs 110 (for 180ml)

Conditioner - Rs 55 (for 75ml)

What does it promise? - It's time break the hair fall. Pantene Pro-V Hair Fall Control helps prevent damage and reduces hair fall caused due to breakage. The product strengthens hair inside out, from base to tip and promises up to 98% less hair fall. The result is smoother and more manageable hair.

Shelf Life: 3 years

How to use? - Shampoo: Massage onto wet scalp / hair gently. Rinse off thoroughly.

Conditioner: After shampoo, massage onto wet hair gently. Keep it on for sometime and then, rinse off.

Packaging: Both the shampoo and conditioner come in the regular white Pantene plastic bottles. The smaller ones are easy to carry and don't spill. Over time, we have realised that the golden flip top cover does tend to break quite easily (we have experienced this in the past). So, that's our only grudge with the packaging.

Texture: Smooth and creamy. The shampoo has an excellent texture, which is not too runny and also lathers up well. The conditioner too was thick and super creamy.

Fragrance: Slightly fruity and strong. Similar to all other hair wash products by Pantene. It maybe pleasant for some, but that wasn't the case for us.

The Challenge: So, as per the 14 day challenge, I had to try the Pantene Pro-V range and test it's promises, against an unidentified brand. Now, let me remind you that the hair fall issue in my case was moderate (scalp type: dry) and not too heavy. Like I always say, every individual may have a different experience with the product. So, this is my honest take on the 14 day trial. For the first week, I used the unidentified shampoo and conditioner, which was pathetic. Honestly, I gave up on that product right after the second wash. The post wash results were really bad and I was in no mood to ruin my hair condition in anyway. Next up, the challenger - Pantene Pro-V Hair Fall Control. I used this product thrice a week, starting with the shampoo, which does a good job of cleaning the scalp, and does away with all the residue, leaving it squeaky clean. I followed it up with the conditioner, applying it well, all the way till the tip of my hair. The conditioner was kept on for 10 mins, and then rinsed off well.

This process was followed thrice a week. While I didn't see much of a difference in the first week, I did like the way it cleansed my scalp. It was only after the 5th wash that I saw a slight difference. My comb had just one or two strands, which felt great and was completely normal. Since I am not a big fan of the fragrance of this product, I followed it up with my everyday serum and was ready to go. I like the texture of this range, which is perfect for Normal to Dry scalp type. Hair felt smoother, lighter and easy to maintain. Also, the product comes in a variety of sizes and of course, is easily available. The fact that it is affordable is definitely a plus point.

Pros: Cleanses scalp very well

Great texture (shampoo and conditioner)

Affordable

Easily Available

Does a decent job of reducing hair fall

Cons: Packaging (just the flip top area)

Strong, fruity fragrance

Verdict: After the 14 day challenge, I must admit that the product did a fine job of reducing whatever little hair fall we had experienced in the past. Also, it cleanses the scalp very well, making it a favourite for regular use. Though, it is only with continuous use that we can come to a final conclusion of how well it gets rid of hair fall. But as of now, we can definitely vouch for the product and recommend it to all of you. Now, if only the fragrance was a little subtle and less fruity. But hey, the product does it's primary job well, so I am not complaining.

Have you tried the new Pantene Pro-V Hair Fall control? Or has Anushka Sharma convinced you enough to give it a shot? Share your feedback in the comment box below and let us know your experience.

Photography: Ranveer Lovely Dua

Location Courtesy: JW Marriott, Sahar (Mumbai)

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“I am taking up the #14DayChallenge as a part of product review activity at BlogAdda in association with Pantene”

Love,

The Dancebee

Feeling a slight nip in the air already? Well, we sure are and that means, winter is just around the corner. For many of you, especially those with dry, sensitive skin, winter also marks the arrival of flaky skin, dry patches on skin, visible dehydration and more. While we have got a variety of products to choose from, those on a budget find it difficult to zero in on a good face moisturiser. We all need that one hero product, that not only provides good results, but is also light on the wallet. So, we have got a tried and tested products list, that we swear by. Here's to maintaining soft and supple skin, without burning a hole in your pocket.

1. Cetaphil Moisturising Cream

Price: Rs 326

Quantity: 80g

Undoubtedly, one of the best drug-store moisturising creams in the market (and we personally swear by this). The Cetaphil Moisturising Cream is perfect for everyday facial use and can be used by those with dry, sensitive skin. For best results, you can use it after washing your face using the Cetaphil Cleansing Lotion for sensitive skin. The product comes in a tube with a flip top and is super easy to carry.

2. Nivea Creme

Price: Rs 39 onwards

Quantity: 30ml and above

Ah! The good ol' Nivea creme. Everybody loves a dollop of this creamy, smooth multipurpose creme. While it does a great job of moisturising your facial skin, it can also be used on your elbows, hands, feet among others, to keep the area soft and supple. Plus, we love the signature creme fragrance, that has been a favourite since childhood.

3. Lakmè Winter Intense Moisturiser

Price: Rs 110 onwards

Quantity: 60ml and above

For those who prefer thick lotions over cream based moisturisers, this one's for you. We were first introduced to the Lakmè Winter Moisturiser (then known as the Lakmè Winter Care Moisturiser) around a decade ago. Later, the range was relaunched as the Skin Gloss Winter Intense Moisturiser, with new packaging and added benefits. However, our love for this creamy lotion remains the same. Right from the fragrance, texture to packaging and price, Lakmè gets almost everything right. For those with supremely dry skin, take a small amount (a little less than hazelnut size) of the lotion and massage it well. We prefer using this as our night moisturiser.

4. Pond's Moisturising Cold Cream

Price: Rs 82 onwards

Quantity: 55ml and above

"Googly Woogly Woksh" Remember this jingle? Or perhaps, those palm sized mini cream jars that we would happily carry to school, in order to ensure that the dry, flaky skin on our palms don't get in the way of our exams? Well, the Pond's Cold Cream has been almost every Indian girl's holy grail during the winter season. While the packaging may have changed, the signature fragrance and creamy, soft texture is still the same. Perfect for those looking who need intense hydration.

5. Hamdard's Roghan Badam Shirin Oil

Price: Rs 130 onwards

Quantity: 25ml and above

You may wonder, what's an oil doing on this list? Well, for those who aren't familiar with this wonder product, let us introduce you to Hamdard's Rogan Badam Shirin. This pure almond oil has been around for several years. FYI, most popular make up artists will tell you that this oil is a hot favourite with several top Indian actresses. Massaging 1-2 small drops of the oil will moisturise your skin from within, leaving it feeling supple (we prefer to use this in the night). Use it daily and you will wake up with soft skin. You can also use this multipurpose oil as a body moisturiser, treatment for dark circles, make up remover (best product for eye make up removal, ever) or as a hair oil to fight dandruff, dry scalp. Girls, stock up on this already, will ya?

Do you have a budget beauty favourite for dry skin this winter? Share your favourites with us in the comment box below or join the conversation on Twitter!

Love,

The Dancebee

After tasting box office success with Baaghi earlier this year, Shraddha Kapoor is back to win hearts. This time, she will be seen in the sequel to the 2008 musical drama - Rock On 2. What's interesting is that the actress has also sung all the songs filmed on her. While we are loving her look in the film, we like how Shraddha has kept her style game strong off screen too. Her stylist, Sanam Ratansi, has put together some great outfits for Shraddha, has she attends one promotional event after another. We take a look at some of the outfits sported by the actress.

Promotions in Shillong

Shraddha kickstarted Rock On 2 promotions in a dark olive green sequinned jumped by Sanchita and black skirt by Zara. Black Monique Hullier heels, minimal and a slightly messy, curled pony tail completed her look.

Trailer Launch Event

For the trailer launch, Shraddha went edgy with all black everything. Her stylist, Sanam, picked a black mesh dress by Cord, worn over a solid black bralet and short skirt, with a black belt and a pair of black ankle strapped heels by Jimmy Choo. Love the addition of Valliyan gold earrings to this look. Smokey eyes, nude lips and an up do completed her look.

Promotions in Bangalore

Shraddha looks chic in this green ruffled dress by Plakinger. We are in love with those black scarpins by Christian Louboutin. While the make up was simple, with nude lips and well defined eyes, and the perfect hun (half bun).

On the sets of a Comedy Show

For promotions on the sets of The Kapil Sharma Show, Shraddha was seen in a teal blue Lola by Suman B jumpsuit. This knot neck jumpsuit looked great on the actress, who once again kept it simple with light, minimal make up. Pale rosy pink lips, brows on fleek and a low ponytail; Shraddha was ready to 'rock' this look.

Aurangabad Concert

Shraddha's grunge game was on point at the Rock On 2 concert in Aurangabad. The actress transformed into a stunning rocker girl, as she sported a fringe hem top by Rohit Gandhi Rahul Khanna with black ripped jeans by Topshop and knee high boots by ZARA. Bold lips, dramatic lashes and soft tousled hair went well with the overall look.

Rock On 2 Interviews

For some interviews and other activities related to the event, Sanam picked a pair of mustard wide trousers by Poco & Jacky and an embellished camisole top by Encrusted. Shraddha ditched accessories for an elegant Michael Kors watch. Deep wine lips and a simple ponytail completed her look.

Music Channel Interviews

Shraddha kept it simple and stylish for another set of interviews. She was spotted wearing a red cold shoulder top and embroidered jeans by Marks & Spencer. A pair of white favourites by Zara, minimal make up and soft tousled hair rounded the look.

Promotions at Bigg Boss 10

The actress was all things hot and happening in a customised Ashish N Soni pant suit. Pink lips with minimal make up and soft curls gave us some serious boss girl vibes. You go, girl!

Hyderabad Press Conference

Shraddha looked super chic in a Topshop shirt, paired with a gorgeous brown leather-latte skirt by Madison, at a press con earlier this week. She chose a pair of brown lace up heels, with pale pink lips and a fresh, girl next door inspired up-do. We love!

Promotions in Delhi

For city promotions on Monday, Shraddha was seen looking adorable in a Shahid Mannan tuxedo inspired short dress, with metallic buttons and piping. Black ankle strap heels, red lips and a braided undercut hair style (rather a safer one) with rings by Misho Designs completed her look.

Well, that's how Shraddha went about town promoting her upcoming film.

Do you have a favourite look from the ones sported by her or have a thought about her outfit / make up? Leave your comment in the box below or join the conversation on Twitter.

Music has the power to heal and unite the world, they say. It is this very power that brings members of the band Magik - Aditya Shroff (Farhan Akhtar), Joe (Arjun Rampal) and KD (Purab Kohli) together once again. Eight years after the success of their first film, the team is back in Rock On 2, albeit with a new captain of the ship and some additional characters.

The sequel to 2008’s highly acclaimed and award winning film, Rock On, doesn’t exactly take off from where the former ended. 5 years after Rob’s (Luke Kenny) death and the members of Magik moving on with their respective lives, not all is hunky dory with the band. While Adi takes off for Meghalaya and lives all alone, looking after the welfare of locals in some villages, Joe is now a successful club owner and judge on a singing reality show. Meanwhile, KD creates jingles and songs for various clients. Aditya’s wife, Sakshi (Prachi Desai) lives in Mumbai with their son, Rob, forever longing for her husband’s attention towards the family. Members of the band continue to be friends, trying to meet off and on. However, their past, a dark incident in particular, continues to haunt them. Especially Aditya, who suffers many a sleepless nights. One thing leads to another and Aditya is forced to leave Meghalaya due to a tragedy. Back home, the trio comes across two budding artists - Jiah Sharma (Shraddha Kapoor) and Uday (Shashank Arora), and their passion for music is rekindled. Despite coming from a family that has it’s roots in Indian classical music, with her father Pandit Vibhuti (Kumud Mishra) being a renowned music artist, Jiah has her own fears to conquer and a past, that has prevented the young artist from chasing her dreams. While the story progresses, the condition of locals in Meghalaya grows from bad to worse. Will they ever get any relief or help? Does Jiah successfully conquer her fears, or does Magik ever come together for good? You’ve got to experience this musical drama to find out the answers.

The story maybe a bit predictable and the screenplay maybe slightly flawed, but director Shujaat Saudagar’s Rock On 2 has it’s heart in the right place, with some impactful performances and other key highlights. Akhtar as Aditya is flawless, with the right emotions and nuances required for the role. Once again, he sings exceptionally well, especially Jaago, Manzar Naya and the dramatic climax medley, that kicks off with Woh Jahaan. Rampal is top notch as Joe, and delivers a fine performance once again. Purab is a natural and creates good impact with his portrayal of KD. Shraddha is decent and performs well as the vocalist. Surely, her hard work and training sessions have paid off. Arora performs very well as Uday, showcasing the struggles of a budding artist perfectly. Both Desai and Shahana Goswami reprise their respective roles from the first film and have done a good job. However, apart from the exceptional performances, it is the picturesque locales of North East India - mainly Shillong, Cherrapunji among others, that stand out as the hero of this film. A special mention here of Marc Koninckx’s excellent cinematography is a must. Akhtar as the dialogue writer has also done a fairly good job.

Being the soundtrack of a musical, we can safely say that the music of Rock On 2 (composed by Shankar-Ehsaan-Loy) is decent. We like how they are intelligently used in the film’s narrative. While some are situational, others are very well used as flashbacks to connect the dots. Our favourite from the film has to be Manzar Naya and the finale medley. Farhan and Shraddha’s duet in the super energetic medley has got to be one of the highlights of this film.

When you present a sequel to an extremely popular film, expectations are certainly high. However, comparing two films is nothing but an act of foolishness. Fortunately for us, this ‘encore’ managed to live up to some of our expectations quite well. The limitations were overshadowed by a fine package of incredible performances, good music, wonderful locations and decent work by the technical crew. Overall, Rock On 2 is relatable, real and very well presented.

Verdict: Add it to your must watch list this weekend and you won’t be disappointed. Magik is back in form with their passion for music, people! Go, show them some love.

Love,
The Dancebee

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Those of you who follow us on Snapchat and Instagram very well know that we were a part of the Lakmè 9 to 5 new product launch event last month. This particular collection by Lakmè has been quite popular, especially among women on the go (and hence the name '9 to 5' we guess). During the launch, we were introduced to the latest entrant to the wide collection named - 9 to 5 Weightless Matte Mousse Lip & Cheek Colour. As the name suggests, the product can used both as a matte lip colour as well as a cheek blush. Read on to know more about the product, along with swatches and our experience.

What? - Lakmè 9 to 5 Weightless Matte Mousse Lip & Cheek Colour

Shades: 10 Price: Rs 575

What it claims? - The Lakmé 9 to 5 Weightless Matte Mousse Lip and Cheek colour is the brand's first ever lip and cheek product in a light weight, liquid mousse texture, that comes in 10 intense and vibrant shades. With a powdery matte finish, this long staying lip and cheek colour will be the most suitable addition to your makeup bag and is just what you need to add that extra oomph.

Packaging: Lightweight, elegant and super travel friendly. The brush applicator is easy to use and the mousse texture ensures the product does melt. Full marks to Lakmè for this perfect packaging.

Texture: Very few products tend to get it right when it comes to a matte lip colour. Fortunately, the texture of this matte mousse lip and cheek colour is rich, powdery and very smooth. It glides on very well and is super pigmented. It has a satin - rich feel and does not dry out your lips. I can vouch for the latter as I have super dry lips.

Experience: To begin with, this product got us excited at the launch event itself. 10 wearable, gorgeous shades (there is something for both Fall and Summer), in a texture that is extremely smooth and easy to apply. While swatching the testers, we already had a list of favourites and later, got some of them for a trial (and to create this look, of course). As we mentioned earlier, the 9 to 5 range is perfect for the working woman, who is always on the go and does not have enough time for touch ups in between meetings. Needless to say, with it's rich texture and lasting power, the Lakmè 9 to 5 Weightless Matte Mousse Lip and Cheek colour is sure to become your new favourite go-to product. We noticed how even 4-5 hours post application, the product did not fade, leave any dry patch or flakes. We tried on the shade Crimson Silk, which stayed on for a good 6 hours (as a lipstick) and almost 8 hours (as a cheek color). This shade is perfect for Fall, and can be worn with almost everything. Another favourite has got to be Fuschia Suede and Blush Velvet. You must head to a Lakmè store, swatch these and perhaps, buy them too. These perfect to carry, flawless matte lip and cheek colours are worth every penny. Plus, it's affordable and makes for a great 'two products in one' deal. Win-win!!

Lakmè 9 to 5 Weightless Matte Mousse Lip and Cheek Colour

Pros:

Great texture

Affordable

Travel friendly packaging

Dual purpose product

Good variety of shades

Cons:

None so far

Verdict: Highly recommended! This one's got everything going for it.

Look created using all Lakmè products:

Face: Lakmè CC Cream (Shade - Beige, used as a primer)

Lakmè Weightless Mousse Foundation

Lips: Lakmè Weightless Matte Mousse Lip & Colour - Crimson Silk

Eyes: Lakmè Absolute Gloss Artist Eye Liner

Lakmè Eyeconic Kajal (waterline)

Cheek: Lakmè Weightless Matte Mousse Lip & Colour - Crimson Silk

Outfit: Levi's

Photography: Ranveer Lovely Dua

Product & Swatch Images: Team Dancebee

MUA: Ree Shik

Love,

The Dancebee

2016 has been a good year for John Abraham. The actor has had two releases - Dishoom and Rocky Handsome, with the former performing well at the box office and the latter earning him compliments for a fine performance. He is also busy collaborating with young minds on new projects, while as a producer, he is always on the look out for quality content. John is ready to end the year with a bang, (quite literally) as he has got Force 2 - sequel to 2011's successful action film, up for release. With a promising trailer, packed with high-octane action sequences, bike chases and jaw dropping stunts (some performed by stuntmen, who have worked on films like Mad Max and have flown in all the way from Hollywood), this much awaited espionage thriller is all set to hit the screens tomorrow. We caught up with John, who will be seen essaying the lead protagonist ACP Yashvardhan, in between various promotional activities to discuss his love for action films, causes close to his heart and more. Excerpts from our conversation:

What is it about Force 2, now a franchise, that appealed the most to you?

To answer your question, I feel Force 2 has tremendous potential to be one of Bollywood's biggest action franchise. The sequel is properly connected to the first film and when you watch the film, you will be able to connect the dots quite easily. Also, the plot of this film is relevant in today's times.

We noticed that you have performed some major action stunts in this film.

Also, got home with bruises and injuries (laughs). See, it's an out and out action film, and these stunts were a huge part of it. While shooting in Budapest, I did suffer a knee injury and was back to work the very next day, much against my doctor's wishes. Although, I did undergo a surgery while the film was being shot and was back on the sets after almost a fortnight.

You always confessed that you like being an action hero. What do you think of films made under this genre today and as a producer, how would you like to bring about changes?

Action films have always been close to my heart, and are a hit among masses. Keeping our audience in mind and how much they enjoy films that involve action, our films need to have a good mix of incredible action sequences and the perfect story. That way, the audience can enjoy wholesome entertainment. I personally believe that action sequences in our films can be believable for the audience, only if they are projected sensibly. As a producer, I am trying to achieve that in Force 2, by backing a good story with world class action.

As a producer, you are also focusing on regional cinema.

Yes. Our Marathi production venture shall hopefully kick off in the first quarter of 2017. It's an amazing script that we are working on. Honestly, I feel regional cinema is producing some incredible, quality films with great content. The Hindi film industry can definitely learn a lot from various regional film industries.

During our last interaction, Jacqueline said that you are tough on the outside, but a complete softie at heart. How true is that?

Very true. The general impression is that I am very tough. I tell people, I have never touched or hurt anybody in my life. Not even a fly. And no one has touched me. I don’t think I can ever hurt anyone. In case anyone comes up to hurt me, I’ll probably just buckle up, take a few shots and then ask, “Are you happy? Now, please carry on with your life.” But, that’s the way I am made. I have never purposely given a feeling of intimidation to anyone. People who know me will know that I am soft like candy floss. It’s easy to break John Abraham. Just break him (laughs).

You have supported several causes and campaigned for activities. What are the causes close to your heart, and is there any cause or issue that you think needs more focus and awareness?

Cruelty against animals is a big issue for me, and I have always stood up for it. I don’t understand how parents bring up a child, who goes on to throw stones on a living being, who cant even speak. But, outside of that, a core issue that I would like about are the number of elderly citizens who have been left alone to survive, by their own children. Today, we are losing the values that we had. My mom takes care of some elderly people. I have seen depressing stories of these individuals, and there is an experience that I would like to share here. This one boy in his late 20’s, left his father at the home for elderly and said, “Dad, stay here. I’ll be back tomorrow.” The boy never came back. He left for the U.S. In fact, when his father passed away, the boy didn’t even come back for the final rites. So, what I am trying to say is, individuals today are all consumed by themselves. It’s all about our career, success and earnings. It’s all about ‘ME’. So, a lot of people forget to take care of their parents. These are the people who brought you up, and you have to respect them. There will always be some special people entering your life, and there will be all sorts of pressure, but that is no excuse to disrespect your own parents.

You have also worked on a variety of CSR activities. Tell us a little bit about that.

A few years ago, I collaborated with a leading radio channel on a social activity, that helped change many lives. We wanted to do something for the people, who have faced problems that aren't discussed or talked about on a bigger scale. We started off by supporting acid attack victims. In fact, we reconstructed the face of a girl named Tarana. She underwent four surgeries for the same. Recently, she also got married. Fortis Hospitals supported us in this endeavour, and performed these surgeries free of cost. Another 8 girls were also taken care of. Later, we moved on to blood donation, women against abuse among other issues. It was an attempt to voice our opinion and stand against all the evils in our society, that prevail today. Currently, we are also planning something for the army jawans. Another issue that I have in mind is regularly faced by the citizens of North East. They often face racial discrimination and it’s sad to see Indians refer to their own brothers as Chinese.

So, what next after Force 2?

I haven't really signed a film, but I have read various script and there are several other activities, plans that are keeping me busy. Even as a producer, I've been hearing some great scripts and look forward to backing some good content.

Love,

The Dancebee

When John Abraham does action, he does it in style. And that's exactly what he offers in Force 2 - his much awaited sequel to one of 2011's successful films, Force. If the actor - producer says that he will promote good scripts that require never before seen action, he definitely means business. And fortunately for us, we get to see that and a lot more in Force 2.

Set in China, India and a large part of Budapest, Force 2 is an out and out action thriller. The film opens with brutal assassinations of multiple undercover agents, who have been associated with the Indian intelligence bureau - RAW, across Asia. One of these agents (Freddy Daruwala in a cameo), now dead, was closely associated with ACP Yashvardhan (John Abraham), an officer from Mumbai Police whose wife and friends were killed in the first film. During the chase (a well shot one at that) before his death, the agent leaves a hidden clue for Yashvardhan. While the nation's security is under threat, the Indian Intelligence Bureau asks their trusted european division officer - KK (Sonakshi Sinha), to join Yashvardhan and trace the links to these well planned attacks. One thing leads to another, and they discover the mastermind is none other than a mole named Shiv Sharma (Tahir Raj Bhasin) working for the Indian embassy in Budapest. What follows next is a thrilling chase, where both Yashvardhan and KK fight it out to nab the antagonist and meanwhile, ensure the safety of other RAW agents, who are alive.

If the trailer left you in awe, the film is sure to keep you on the edge of your seat. So much, that even a short washroom break might result in missing out on some serious action. The film purely focuses on it's lead characters and the mission, maintaining a smooth flow of the story and excellent pace, without any hiccups. Amitabh Shukla and Mohana Krishna's editing is crisp, while the cinematography by Imre Juhasz (of Die Hard) and Mohana Krishna is perfect. Dialogues and the story penned by Jasneet Reen and Parvez Shaikh is good. But, the hero of this film from the technical department has go to be the action and background score. We love how the action in this film is a break away from the same old pow-wow that we get to see in almost every Bollywood film (not that we don't like it, but hey, we also love experiments). Force 2 has got some jaw dropping stunts, with Abraham lifting everything from cars to window grills, shattering glasses and breaking doors. The action sequences (by Franz Spilhaus of Commando fame) are slick, stylish and impactful, as we see the lead characters punch, knock and kick the hell outta those bad boys. A particular mention of the fabulous and refreshingly different climax action sequence. The film maker and action team have experimented with the visuals and shot everything like a first person shooter game, reminding us of Infinity Ward's Call of Duty. Amaal Malik's background score is top notch and matches the film's pace and requirements very well. Music of the film, with just two songs, is average.

John Abraham is undoubtedly the heart, soul and face of this film. As the intense and 'thoda satka hua' ACP Yashvardhan, he performs exceptionally well. With two action oriented films in the same year, Sonakshi Sinha is clearly turning out to be one of our favourite action heroes. As the tough RAW agent KK, Sonakshi delivers a fine performance. This girl has got some serious action moves, bruh! Tahir Raj Bhasin as the villainous yet vulnerable Shiv Sharma is spine chillingly good. Other cast members, including Adil Hussain, Narendra Jha among others, have also done a decent job. Also, we were happy to see Genelia D'souza Deshmukh's infectious smile back on the screen, even if it lasted two minutes. Filmmaker Abhinay Deo, who has earlier impressed us with Delhi Belly and the Indian version of television series - 24, does a fine job of bringing the best of action, thrills and entertainment together in this well crafted, gripping film.

Ismein action, drama, emotion aur entertainment hain. Go, watch it and join the chase!

Verdict: If you enjoy a well made action - drama, filled with thrills and some high octane action, we highly recommend this one for you.

Love,

The Dancebee

He has been one of our favourite childhood darlings. Almost every child has owned at least one merchandise from Disney world (or the local toy store) that has something to do with him. You can never get enough of his 'big ears'. We have all had birthday cakes shaped like him or kiddie perfumes sold in bottles that resemble his face. On a personal note, my post-school and dance session evenings were incomplete without his hour long shows, where he, along with his other four famous pals, would keep me entertained. But, when you are told that your favorite, adorable little mouse turns 88 today, you can't help but spent a moment of silence to understand that time does fly too quickly.

Yes, I am talking about the most cheerful mouse you will ever come across. Late Sir Walt Disney's beloved - Mickey Mouse! On this day, the well mannered, perfectly dressed and sophisticated mouse made his debut in a cute film called Steamboat Willie in 1928. Every individual, who feels that Mickey Mouse was indeed an integral part of their childhood, must watch this film.

As everybody's favourite Mickey turns a year older, we take a look at some of our favorite shows and films featuring the superstar mouse.

Steamboat Willie

"I only hope that we never lose sight of one thing – that it was all started by a mouse." - Walt Disney.

Yes indeed, this is where it all started. The lovable mouse, created together by Sir Walt Disney and Ub Iwerks, was actually inspired by a mouse, that Disney came across while sketching a few ideas, as he wanted to create a new character, that could become the face of Disney as a company.

And once he was born, the audience got a lovely visual treat in the form Steamboat Willie, that continues to rule many hearts even after 86 years.

The Karnival Kid

By 1929, the mouse was definitely more popular (and a year old now). In a span of one year, the audience has already seen him in films like The Opry House and When The Cat's Away, but it was The Karnival Kid that turned out to be the next milestone, as this is where you will hear Mickey speaking for the first time. And guess who turned voice actor for this charming character? None other than Disney himself.

Mickey's Orphans

Despite internal problems (Iwerks walked away to create his own studio), Mickey's popularity continued to soar and after a couple of short films in between, it was in 1931 that he received his first Academy Award nomination for Mickey's Orphans. This was also the year when Sir Walt Disney was awarded with an honorary award for creating this endearing mouse.

Warning: Cuteness overload in the next film!

Parade of the Award Nominees & The Band Concert

While Mickey's first official appearance in color, Parade of the Award Nominees, was in a film strip exclusively made for the 5th Academy Awards in 1932, his first public color film came out only in 1935. Titled The Band Concert, this film was also voted as the third greatest cartoon of all time, in a poll of animated professionals in the year 1994. Post this film, Mickey's friend Donald also became quite popular, thanks to his crazy (read: funny) antics.

The Simple Things

The year 1953 saw a few last regular theatrical films starring Mickey, post which, he became a regular on animated television films and even popular series like House of Mouse, Mickey Mouse Clubhouse among others. He even did a few cameos in animated-live action films like Who Framed Roger Rabbit, The Muppets At Walt Disney World among others. In The Simple Things (1953), Mickey is seen fishing with Pluto.

Mickey was also seen in another lovely film titled Mickey's Christmas Carol, which was an adaptation of Charles Dickens' A Christmas Carol. Unfortunately, there is very little access to this film on the internet and hence, you need to be lucky enough to catch this precious film on Disney channel at home. With every passing decade, one saw various changes in Mickey's appearance. His clothing became more sophisticated, the colors used for his apparel changed overtime. Surprisingly, the new shorts feature him in an avatar, which is quite similar to his looks from 1930s. In one of these short films, we see Mickey in an Indian avatar, as he takes to the Mumbai roads as guess what? A rickshaw-wala. Don't miss this for anything, folks!

But hey, be it any look, we can't thank Mickey enough for filling our childhood with lots of fun and awesomeness. We all may grow up, but nobody will mind turning all child-like again to watch these films and shows.

Happy Birthday, Mickey! We love you.

Love,

The Dancebee

It’s been a great year for the effervescent Alia Bhatt. While her films went on to become successful, the actress earned much praise for her performances and the wonderful transformation - from the metropolitan free spirit Tia in Kapoor & Sons to the rustic girl with dreams in Udta Punjab. With two successful films behind her, the actress is now gearing up for her next release - the much anticipated Dear Zindagi, helmed by Gauri Shinder. We have seen her hop-skip-jump to attend one promotional event after another and single handedly managing most tasks, to spread the word about her film. In between one such hectic day, we managed to catch up with Alia at a suburban hotel, in a very candid mood. The actress walked in looking pretty as ever, with minimal accessories and make up. She was oozing confidence and perhaps telling the world – what you see is what you get. Excerpts from our candid tete-a-tete with the actress:

Image Credit: Verve Magazine

Now that the film is 3 days away from release, how will you sum up your experience working in Dear Zindagi?

It was a very fresh and wonderful experience. Dear Zindagi is a unique film, as the idea and theme is very different from what we usually see nowadays. The entire experience is very dear to me.

Kaira – the character you are playing in Dear Zindagi, is also very different. Do you relate to her in your real life?

Well, Kaira is impulsive, while Alia is not. Having said that, I must admit that from all the characters I have played on screen till date, this was the closest character to my real life. Also, this film is meant for the youth in their twenties. They will relate a lot to it. Ditto their parents.

This is also your first film with Shahrukh Khan. What has been your biggest takeaway from this particular experience?

He has been in the industry for 25 years. But still, he is so humble. What I like most about him is the fact that he will go out of the way to make you comfortable. It's a rare thing for a superstar like him. And also he doesn't carry the burden of his stardom on the sets or even otherwise. He treats everyone equally. While shooting, we would talk about anything and everything. He would always make sure that we are comfortable. One common thing between me and him would be our thinking patterns. They match very well.

Can you tell us about your first meeting with him?

He always says that he never avoids my dad's phone calls. I remember my father’s friends wanted to meet him, so we all went to his house. I must have been around 11 years old. I was spellbound while looking at him, and my dad still has that picture of me with him. And when I started shooting for Dear Zindagi, dad actually sent me that picture.

Shah Rukh is known as the King of Romance. But he has not played a romantic role opposite you in this one. Would you like to play such a role opposite him?

There was no scope for romance in this film. But, I also believe that no relationship exists without love. We don’t share a romantic relation with everyone, but still, there is love. Although, if given a chance, I would want to be cast opposite him, provided the story is appropriate. The story should make sense, with an older man and a younger girl. Because obviously, we can’t play people of the same age.

Your next release, Badrinath ki Dulhania, how is that shaping up?

It is a desi, heartland romance. It's like that flavour of desi ghee. I feel Varun (Dhawan) is doing great in the comedy space and is growing. We are proud of each other and the way we are growing are artists. Recently, we have completed a schedule in Singapore for the film. It was great fun.

Recently, your father commented that you are more talented than your sister Pooja Bhatt. What do you have to say?

Pooja Bhatt is a great artist, and an amazing producer and director. I will never be able to do that.

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For someone with acne / blemish prone, the popular Tea Tree Oil by The Body Shop has been a must have. It's been a part of my skincare regimen since the longest time, and I have been mighty impressed with it's result so far. Recently, the brand launched some new products under this highly popular range. We were introduced to some of them and post a month long trial, the verdict is out! Have they managed to impress us again? Read on to find out.

What? - The Body Shop Tea Tree range

Products reviewed: The Body Shop 3-in-1 Wash.Scrub.Mask

The Body Shop Anti-Imperfection Daily Solution

Price: Rs 1295 and Rs 1595 respectively

Quantity: 125ml and 50 ml respectively

Skin Type: All (specifically blemish prone / oily skin)

Product: The Body Shop 3-in-1 Wash.Scrub.Mask

What does the product promise? - A 3-in-1 product which can be used as a wash, a scrub or a mask to combat blemishes and excess oil. When used as a wash, the foaming clay removes impurities and excess oil. As a scrub, the exfoliants unclog pores, smooth skin’s surface and reduce the appearance of blackheads. When applied as a mask, the drying clay reduces blackheads and shine, deeply cleanses, mattifies and tightens pores.

How to use? - As a face wash: Wet face and apply a small amount on your face, massaging the product in circular motions until the mud foams. Rinse off. Can be used daily.

As a scrub: Massage gently onto damp skin in circular motions (with special focus on the T-zone). Add more water until the mud foams, then rinse off. Can be used 2-3 times per week.

As a mask: Apply thin layer to dry face, avoiding the eye area. Leave on for 5-10 minutes. Then add water until the mud foams, and rinse off. Can be used 1-2 times per week.

Packaging: The product comes in a sturdy plastic tube, which is dark green (matching the tea tree range). The tube comes with a flip top, which helps dispense the product easily. Easy to carry, does not spill and is also travel friendly. Plus, for a 3-in-1 product like this, the flip top also helps maintain hygiene.

Texture: Creamy and slightly grainy. The texture of this 3-in-1 product is slightly creamier than most scrubs available in the market. When used as a mask, it spreads very well (you can use a face mask brush for best results). As a face wash, it lathers up and cleanses your face gently, while as a scrub, the product does a great job of exfoliation. The exfoliants are not very harsh and this product has a nice, subtle tea tree fragrance.

Product: The Body Shop Anti-Imperfection Daily Solution

What does the product promise? - A lightweight, pre-serum concentrate that combats blemishes and improves the overall condition of skin.After 4 weeks, skin looks and feels purified, clearer, smoother and healthier. It also helps reduce redness and imperfections.

How to use? - Gentle enough to use daily as part of your morning routine. After cleansing, toning and preparing skin with an essence lotion, apply all over the face and neck, avoiding the eye area. Follow with an eye cream and moisturiser. For oily skin, can be used in place of the 'serum' stage of a skincare regimen.

Packaging: The product comes in a glass bottle, like most other popular serums and facial oils by The Body Shop. Keeping up with the colour theme of this range, the serum is housed in a dark green glass bottle, and comes with a dropper, which is a plus. Droppers are easy to use and helps dispense just the right amount of product.

Texture: The solution is transparent and extremely light. If not for the strong tea tree fragrance, you could almost pass it off as a drop of water, except that the product is not that runny. It's a light weight serum that absorbs quickly. The texture is almost similar to another popular product from this range, namely the Tea Tree Oil.

Overall Experience: I've been using the Tea Tree Oil and the Tea Tree Night Lotion since quite sometime. So, when the brand re-launched a few products with new packaging, along with new products in this range, we were more than happy to test it. So, I added the Anti-Imperfection Daily Solution and the 3-in-1 Wash.Scrub.Mask to my daily regimen. While the serum was used as part of my morning routine (followed by the everyday moisturiser that I use), the face wash was paired with the night lotion and tea tree oil that I already have, as part of the night routine. Since I don't use a scrub, I tested the 3-in-1 product as a mask once a week. Now, a lot of people often confuse acne with blemishes. There are not the same. Firstly, acne is characterised by a host of different issues, which includes pimples, blackheads and white heads. Whereas a blemish is the condition where your skin is de-colorised or darkened. But yes, acne and blemishes are connected by the fact that blemishes are commonly occur on acne prone skin, and is mostly the result of a post-pimple damage. Most products in this range focus on blemishes and overtime, do a fine job of clearing your skin off those pesky marks.

The 3-in-1 product keeps your skin feeling squeaky clean and fresh. As a mask, it does help you get rid of blackheads quite effectively. Personally, i've always been a fan of the Tea Tree Oil, which works wonders a targeted care treatment product and is a must have for anyone with acne. As for the serum, it leaves your skin feeling mattified, fresh and healthy, though it is absolutely important to follow up with a hydrating moisturiser. The serum does a good job of leaving your skin feeling clear and healthy over time (give it at least a month to show some results). Though I must add, the real test of this range, especially for those with dry skin (like me) shall begin now, as winters approach. However, the range pretty much lives up to all the expectations and does a good job (along with supporting the cause of sustainable growth of the Kenyan Organic Oil). Especially the 3-in-1 wash.scrub.mask, which is a travel must have for us now.

Pros: Great packaging (3-in1 product)

Subtle fragrance

Lives up to most promises

Leaves your skin feeling fresh and healthy

Well priced

Not tested on animals

Supports a good cause

Cons: Glass bottle (serum) is not travel friendly

Verdict: If you have blemish prone skin, then don't think twice. Add these products to your daily skin care routine and you are sure to see the difference! Definitely a thumbs up from us.

Have you tried any product from The Body Shop Tea Tree range? Leave your comment below or join the conversation on Twitter | Instagram | Snapchat | Facebook

Love,

The Dancebee

Jo dil se lage…Usey keh do Hi, Hi, Hi

Jo dil na lage….Usey keh do bye, bye, bye

Gauri Shinde’s second directorial film Dear Zindagi opens up as the diary of a young girl (nope, not quoting the book here) and her journey. It begins with Kaira’s (Alia Bhatt) dreams, ambitions and ends up by putting her broken past together. Although the story here revolves around Kaira’s life and her chronicles, but Dr. Jehangir Khan (Shah Rukh Khan) aka Jug becomes a critical part of the story telling process.

Kaira is a cinematographer, who dreams of filming a feature film. Unfortunately, this golden opportunity arrives at her doorstep, along with a heartbreak. One on hand, she is chasing her dreams, while on the other, she suffers a heartbreak. As a result, the girl is unable to cope with all the trauma and loses her sleep. She seeks help from Dr. Jehangir Khan, a psychiatrist with a completely different take on mental health. Kaira finds a confidante in Jug and opens up about her broken past as well as the anxieties in her life. The film also has other characters that may not contribute to the story, but had their share of roles in the film. But, Dear Zindagi is predominantly Kaira’s story.

The first half of the film manages to entertain the audience with Alia’s natural act as Kaira. A few other characters too perform well. However, the film has a slow pace and a few moments here, there tend to lead towards boredom. Moments before the interval, Shah Rukh’s entry as Jug creates some serious curiosity and you look forward to watching the story move forward. As the second half kicks off, we see how Jug imparts gyaan and helps Kaira find herself back. He inspires her to look at life through a different perspective. Shah Rukh’s character uses some absorbing metaphors in the film to convey these points, which we thought was quite interesting. However, after a point, his character takes a turn to being just a philosophical guru.

The screenplay of the film is scattered and we don’t know if it was done deliberately in order to symbolise Kaira’s own scattered emotions and life. Amit Trivedi has done a good job with the music, and even after the film, the song ‘Love you Zindagi’ stays with you. Film maker Gauri Shinde had really raised the bar with English Vinglish and our expectations were high. However, it seems like while focusing on the characters and making them the highlight of this film, the story got lost in the process. For us, the only thing which kept the film going was Alia and SRK’s fabulous performance. The young actress has once again proved that she is indeed one of the finest female actors of her generation.

Verdict: Good performances overshadow the flaws in this one. Give it a watch for Alia and SRK!

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She came, she saw and she conquered! Vidya Balan has been one of the few successful leading female actors, who has made it this far without any godfather in the industry. Despite multiple awards in her kitty and memorable characters that any female actor would give her tooth and nail for, the actress is always on the look out for more challenging roles. Be it Silk, Krishna, Parineeta or Vidya Bagchi; the actress stands out for her flawless portrayal of daring characters and is undoubtedly one of the finest performers that Bollywood could ever have. With her latest and certainly the most intriguing sequel - Kahaani 2 coming up, Vidya is leaving no stone unturned to build some buzz around the film and encourage the audience to watch it. In between multiple city tours and hectic activities, we caught up with Vidya (looking stylish as ever) on a quiet Monday afternoon at the Pen India office in suburban Mumbai. In a freewheling chat, the actress discusses Kahaani 2, her rapport with Sujoy Ghosh and why she has always been drawn towards strong, demanding characters.

Both Vidya Sinha and Durga Rani Singh (Kahaani 2) are a breakaway from Kahaani's Vidya Bagchi. What was your experience of playing these two roles?

Durga Rani Singh is an extremely powerful character, while Vidya Sinha has a few shades of the character most people call, Bidya Bagchi (smiles) from Kahaani. But, they are not similar at all. Kahaani 2 is not a direct sequel to the first film and the story is completely different. The two avatars in Kahaani 2 have nothing to do with Bagchi. Also, that's one reason why Sujoy has picked a completely different cast for this film. Dono kahaaniyon mein zameen aasmaan ka farak hain.

How would you define the two characters that you play in this film?

In Durga Rani Singh's case, what you see is not what you get. She is extremely complicated and prefers living in her own world. She doesn't like interacting with people. But, an incident changes her life forever. She is accused of kidnapping someone, par yeh kahan tak sach hain kisiko nahin pata. You will have to watch the film to unravel the mystery that is both Durga and Vidya.

How different is Vidya Balan from your characters - Vidya Bagchi and Durga Rani Singh?

I think I would never be able to keep a secret for so long, like Vidya Bagchi (laughs). Mere pet mein kuch rahega hi nahin. In that sense, I am very different from Bagchi. As far as Durga is concerned, I can't keep to myself. I need people around me, which is completely opposite to Durga's personality. She really wants to invisible and almost non-existential for the world. I am not like that that at all. I love being around, interacting with and hanging out with people. After all, I am an actor. So, I definitely think we are poles apart.

She (Durga Rani Singh) is extremely complicated and prefers living in her own world

You are also seen sporting a de-glam avatar in the film.

Honestly, I never see a character or her avatar as glamorous or de-glam. I just do whatever is right for the character. I am who I am, but if I can transform into a different person through make-up, hairstyle or outfits, then it's very exciting for me. I am all charged up to don any look. Looking glamorous all the time is not even a consideration in my head.

Was it always planned to have a sequel without any connect to the first film?

After Kahaani, Sujoy discussed several ideas that he thought could suit Kahaani 2. But, none of the ideas really worked for us. More so, we didn't think it could make the cut as a sequel to Kahaani. That's when we thought it's difficult to take Vidya Bagchi's story forward and decided let it go. Durga Rani Singh was originally planned to be a completely different film. It was only last year that Sujoy came up to me with an idea and said that it had the potential to be Kahaani 2. Even then I wasn't very keen. However, I read the idea and realised that it was perfect. Ab yeh kyun perfect hain, for that you will have to watch the film (smiles). All I can say is that this film carries the essence of Kahaani. So, if there ever was a film that could be Kahaani 2 without being a sequel, it was this story.

If I can transform into a different person through make-up, hairstyle or outfits, then it's very exciting for me

Every powerful character brings with it a set of challenges. In Kahaani 2, you are essaying two such characters. What were the challenges like for you?

Honestly, I love challenges. The very fact that my character is so unseemingly complicated, that's what made it tough and exciting. Woh jaisi dikhti hain vaisi hain nahin, and to maintain that throughout the film was tricky. There is also a slight obsessive streak in her. In my career so far, I have never portrayed a character with this kind of a streak. So, if I see something new and interesting, I just love it and grab the opportunity without any hesitation. Apart from that, I didn't really face any difficulty as such.

Would that also be since both you and Sujoy share a great rapport and understand each other?

Absolutely! Sujoy's scripts are perfect and has everything. As an actor, Adha aapka kaam vahin ho jaata hain, aur adha performance mein. It helps that we understand each other very well. A lot of things work out without any discussions. We don't do any kind of preparation before the shoot. Adha samay toh hum bakwaas kar rahe hote hain (laughs).

I love challenges. The very fact that my character in Kahaani 2 is so unseemingly complicated, that's what made it tough and exciting

Promotions are an essential part of a film's pre-release stage. You have always promoted your films in a unique way, but how involved are you in deciding these activities or events?

In my eleven year career so far, I have always been actively involved in promotional activities. I am always ready to promote the film full on, even if that means standing on top on a high rise building and screaming - "Kahaani 2 is releasing on December 2." I recently promoted the film on Bigg Boss and enjoyed every bit of it. In fact, this is the third time I have promoted my film on the show. However, some events or shows don't work out for me. Like someone asked me if I would go on Comedy Nights Bachao. I don't think I will be able to stomach some of those jokes. You should be able to go there, only if you know you won't feel offended. Honestly, I don't think I am that cool to not feel offended at some point or the other. They may pick a sore point and perhaps, that may hurt you. It's humane. But otherwise, I always go all out to promote my films, even if that involves changing my look.

Demonetisation has been an important issue, especially with recent films getting affected. What are your thoughts on this and how do you look at box office numbers?

I am not a fatalist, but I believe every film has it's own fate. We have made the film and now, it's up to the audience to watch and accept the film. Of course it is heart breaking to see your film not doing well, so box office numbers are very important. We all want the audience to go out and watch the film. For me, that's what BO success really is. All of us put in a lot of effort and if people don't watch it, you do feel bad. For a lot of other people, it's the numbers and clubs. But, I don't understand the business of cinema in that sense. Just the fact that lakhs of people have seen your film or the shows are running full, woh sunke jo sukoon milta hain is very special. As far as demonetisation is concerned, that's not something I am worried about. It was mostly films that were released in the first 1-2 weeks that were affected, but now things are better. Last week's release - Dear Zindagi has performed quite well. So, the situation is definitely looking good.

Most characters that you have played on screen are extremely powerful, be it Silk, Vidya or a Krishna. How has your experience of essaying such strong characters been so far?
You know, they say that when you really want something, the universe conspires to get it for you. For me, it's been a two way street. Strong, women oriented films veer towards me and I am drawn towards them. I am trying to find my feet, realise my work and value with every passing day. Perhaps, that's why I get drawn to stories where the women are doing something similar.

The Kahaani franchise cannot be imagined without you. But, if you were to choose someone else to portray these characters, who would it be?
Err.. then there would be no Kahaani, because I would shoot Sujoy Ghosh (laughs).

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Love,
The Dancebee

Film maker Sujoy Ghosh and actress Vidya Balan’s much anticipated director-actor venture together - Kahaani 2, has everything that a gripping drama needs. This edge of the seat, engrossing tale successfully keeps you hooked on throughout the running time of 119 minutes. The national award winning actress is seen essaying two characters, that of Durga Rani Singh and Vidya Sinha, in a film that shoots your curiosity levels to a different high.

As stated by Vidya in our interview, Kahaani 2 is completely different, and has nothing to do with the 2012 film - Kahaani. As a fresh story, Kahaani 2 manages to hold your attention, right from the opening scene to the unpredictable climax. Five minutes into the film, and the fast paced sequence of events in Vidya Sinha and her daughter’s life makes you restless and curious. In the film, Vidya Sinha is a paranoid mother whose daughter goes missing and the police are chasing Durga Rani Singh who is wanted under kidnapping and murder charges. Inder (Arjun Rampal) is a cop in charge on the case and also a significant part of Vidya’s past, which is revealed to the audience in the most surprising manner. The film deals with a sensitive issue and Sujoy Ghosh’s story telling has successfully managed to convey the message in its rightest form, keeping the intensity of the issue intact. The first half leaves you with no time to breathe (and nope, no loo break either). Be prepared for unexpected shocks, as the story unfolds.

Some dialogues stand out and stay with you throughout the film. The screenplay is perfect and enough to give you goosebumps, while excellent background score can make you skip a heartbeat. Dark and dim lighting in the film keeps the unsettling mood intact. Rampal’s as Inder is engaging and manages to stand out in the film with a great performance. Balan, on the other hand, portrays a gamut of emotions on screen. From being a protective mother to a courageous and brave woman, who is fighting against all odds; she does it all and that too, quite effortlessly. The highlight of this film is how once again, Vidya emerges as 'Durga' to end the evil.

With all it's shocks, twists, turns and commendable performances; Kahaani 2 is definitely a must watch. Durga Rani Singh's Kahaani is intriguing, as it unfolds in Sujoy Ghosh style. We recommend that you reach early and settle down in the cinema hall immediately, as you definitely don't wanna miss a scene of this crisp, gripping and fabulously crafted film.

Verdict: We highly recommend that you go out and watch this 'Kahaani' unfold. Also, be prepared to be at the edge of your seat throughout the film!

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Be carefree, live carefree and love carefree they said. And that's exactly what Dharam and Shyra choose to do in Befikre. Aditya Chopra's new age rom-com starring Ranveer Singh and Vaani Kapoor released today and needless to say, attracted it's target audience (mostly youngsters) in large numbers. But does it live up to all that it promised in the trailer? Read on to find out.

Trailers and teasers can be deceptive at times, and there is a lot more to Befikre than all that you saw in the film's official trailer. Set in the backdrop of Paris - one of the most beautiful cities in the world, Befikre celebrates love, albeit with a twist. It is this very unique approach, despite the predictable plot, that keeps you engaged. The film opens with a song shot in the bylanes of Paris, celebrating carefree love. It's like a new age version of Dil Toh Pagal Hai's Ek Duje Ke Vaaste. Our lead protagonists here are brazen, wilful and fun. Dharam (Ranveer Singh) is a Delhi wala Munda, who lands a job at the Delhi Belly Club in Paris. He prefers to maintain distance from any form of commitment and instead, hangs out to woo girls, failing at every single attempt. Enter Shyra (Vaani Kapoor), the 'Born Punjaban, but dil se French' no-nonsense girl, who likes to work hard and party harder. The two meet at a party and a few encounters later, decide to live-in together, keeping the pressure of marriage, love and commitments away. The bindass duo dare each other, make out in the middle of nowhere and attempt bizarre acts. When not busy with their 'Labon ka Karobar', Dharam works as a stand up comedian, while Shyra is a tour guide.

They live and enjoy every moment in the present, until some turn of events changes their relationship. Lust makes way for friendship, and the exes choose separate paths in their respective lives. But, will they ever come together for love? That's for you to find out.

Befikre is a no-nonsense histoire d'amour (love story). Dharam and Shyra are nothing like Raj - Simran or Veer - Zaara. 'Saat janamon ka saat' is not their thing, as they like to do things differently. And that's exactly where the target audience - especially the millenials, find an instant connect. However, it would be unfair to not mention that both Dharam and Shyra have a romantic streak in them, albeit a unique one. The film is a breakaway from the traditional school of romance in Hindi films. A few examples - the dashing heroine does not shy away from kissing the guy first. A mom and daughter scene, where the mother encourages her 'beti' to defy all odds and take the right stand. Best one? The hero calling up his girl and requesting her to save him from a crisis, instead of the other way around. Film Maker Aditya Chopra means business when he says his lead couple are 'Befikre'.

Ranveer Singh as the unabashedly real Dharam is incredible. The actor knows how to get into the skin of his character and become one with his on-screen avatar. Needless to say (or if I may quote a girl sitting behind me) Ranveer is a treat watch in almost every single frame. His energy is extremely infectious and the actor charms his way into your heart. Ranveer nails every nuance of his character perfectly and it won't be wrong to say that he is the real soul of this film. For her second outing after Shuddh Desi Romance, Vaani's performance was decent and she does good justice to the personality of her character. Apart from the lead, full props to casting director Shanoo Sharma for getting together the perfect ensemble cast.

The soundtrack of Befikre, composed by Vishal - Shekhar, grows on you when played on loop. Especially Nashe si, which has been a personal favourite ever since it came out. Mikey McCleary's BG score is ho-hum. Aditya Chopra's dialogues are interesting. A good enough chunk of dialogues are in French. It helped that I understand the language. However, subtitles shall make it easy for you anyway. Vaibhavi Merchant's impeccable choreography has got my heart, especially Ranveer - Vaani's beautiful couple act in the climax.

The overall styling is impressive and classy. While the story is a tad bit predictable, especially in the first half, things get a little better post interval. However, the climax gets back to being predictable again. Also, be prepared for a whilwind of smooches coming your way. But thankfully, these have been presented aesthetically and don't look vulgar at all. Though the film could have been a bit shorter, minus a few slow paced scenes, Chopra does a fine job as the director. We like how the narrative intercuts between the past and present in an interesting way. And finally, a special mention of the most important hero of this film - Paris. The alluring landscapes and picturesque locations have been beautifully shot. Ah! Belle ville de paris. Je t'aime ❤

This may not be Aditya Chopra or Ranveer Singh's best film. You may not see this film sweeping awards at the major functions next year. However, Befikre has got it's heart in the right place and makes for a fun joyride, which keeps you entertained right till the end. Oh, and don't leave the cinema hall when the credits roll out. Watch it till the end! Picture abhi baaki hain mere dost.

Verdict: One of this year's best rom-coms! Watch it once for some entertainment and fun.

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Love,

The Dancebee

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