For a healthy body and soul

FITNESS of the mind, body and the soul is what you get when you enter the bright and colourful world of Solaris. From body fitness, sports, interesting activities to events, tournaments and even a play and learn school for little ones, who are not so privileged, to guests houses and organic food, Solaris has added many feathers to its already colourful cap. 

A member working out

FITNESS FIRST 

If fitness is on your mind, then Solaris is the answer. With state-of-the-art equipment and a team of expert trainers, programmers and nutritionists, it is a complete package for a healthier you. If you want to lose weight, or aim for a body like Salman Khan or Kareena Kapoor but lack motivation, then take up the Transform Challenge. “Many of us give up easily on our health. We started this competition four years ago to motivate our members to achieve fitness goals. We give them 13 weeks to reach the target with the help of our fitness instructors and a workout regime. The prize money, one lakh that we give to the winner, is a big motivating factor for them to get fit,” says Jayant Pawar, director, Solaris. The main aim behind conducting the event is to change the attitude towards life and help people enjoy a healthy lifestyle. Apart from this, the club also offers a gold membership, allowing members to use the services provided at any of its six fitness clubs, which include the new branches coming up in Koregaon Park and Kothrud.   



The tennis champs & Jayant Pawar



GET SPORTY 

Whether you are an amateur or an expert at a sport, Solaris welcomes everyone. The sports club includes sport enthusiasts and sport rankers. Tennis, table tennis, badminton, taekwondo, swimming and skating are some of the sports that are available at the club. The club also conducts many tournaments to encourage players. Championships such as the AITA Tennis Tournament for National Ranking, Roller Skating District and Non District Championship, Badminton Non Ranking Tournament, Table Tennis District Championship, Table Tennis State Ranking Competition, Taekwondo Non Ranking Competition are held annually and biannually.

Solaris tournament Winners



JUST FOR FUN 

The club also conducts events to get to know its fellow members and take a break from the routine regimes. Solaris organises an array of events including dandiya raas, Diwali celebrations and a fun mela every year. The club also has introduced the concept of garage sale in city, where all members can display the goods that are not really useful for them anymore but are in good condition to be sold on this day. To make the hot days cool for your children, the club hosts a summer camp for kids each year. 

Student members enjoy the Zorb ball



FUN FITNESS

If you are in no mood to run on the treadmill or lift that heavyweight, go for a roll with the Zorb ball, or try the high wire, rock climbing, bouldering wall. Members can also enjoy fun games like chess and squash at the club. Rejuvenate and relax  Solaris has introduced four club houses at strategic locations around Pune. Amidst the green landscapes of Panchgani, the club has a guest house called The Cornice. The serene area of Mulshi has a cosy guesthouse called Lake View, and closer to home is the Loni Farm House that provides a journey back in time with the cottage at Anegundi.

Kids from Disha



FOR A GOOD CAUSE 

Solaris also takes time to help out those in need. The club has a play and learn school for the underprivileged called Disha. “We wanted to provide these kids with a fun learning experience, where they can learn  not from text books but also enjoy activities including craft, art, drama, painting, meditation. The children also get to play many games like tennis, table tennis, squash, badminton, rock climbing, high wire adventure, swimming, cycling, roller skating, cricket, mini basketball, carrom, puzzles and others,” says Pawar. Another activity the club has recently started is of adopting roads for a cleaner and greener Pune.

Members enjoying a laughter session



EAT HEALTHY

To promote a healthy lifestyle, one has to eat healthy as well. The club has its own farms that grow organic food products, which will soon be available for purchase for Solaris members.

The Solaris team



INTERNATIONALLY CERTIFIED

Solaris has also tied up with BFY, a leader in health and fitness solutions. BFY offers a global standards programme through international courses, workshops and seminars on health, fitness, sports training, diet and nutrition. Since the last 10 years, BFY’s programs have been running successfully in major cities in India. BFY students are now working in over 200 gyms and health clubs in India and abroad. As one can clearly see, at Solaris, there is something for everyone. 

CENTRE OF THE UNIVERSE

Songs in unusual foreign languages are rocking the discs in Pune. PT reports from the dance floors

WORLD ON THE CONSOLE: DJs enjoy playing songs

in different languages at local parties



ENGLISH and Hindi music. When you are in a discotheque, you know that you are going to groove to songs in these languages. But don’t be surprised if you enter a party and hear rocking numbers in Spanish, Italian, French, German and Egyptian.

Global music has always been a hit at the discotheques, but there has been a huge increase in the number of such songs in recent times. Hear DJ Tally whose current favourite is the German Industrial Metal Band Rammstein’s massively successful song Du Hast. “We have all grooved to Macarena and Las Ketchup, but now is the time of Du Hast. With powerful music, which include the elements of industrial and metal, this catchy number has proved that language is no bar on the dance floor.”

Although Latin house, African tribal music and Arabian songs continue to rock, German, French and Spanish songs too have hit the right chord with the party goers. “Cheb Khalid’s French and Arabic versions of Aïcha is very popular these days. A song in an unknown language can become a hit, but all depends on how the DJ places it. The timing is very crucial,” explains DJ Vaggy. Another song that literally commands you to dance is the French number by Stromae, Alors on Danse. “Alors on Danse has been quite popular abroad, and it's picking up really fast in India as well. It's going to be the next big thing soon," claims DJ Lokesh. Other tracks that he feels Puneites love to dance on are Spanish hits Loca by Shakira, We No Speak Americano by Yolanda Be Cool & DCUP, La Despedida by Daddy Yankee, Rakata-Wisin Y Yandel and Vida Nueva by Rafael Becker. DJ Abhishek Mantri also votes for Du Hast and Alors on Danse. He says, “People are completely in love with these tracks and they love to party h a rd o n fo r - eign numbers!” Another French song that has been doing really well is Tout est Bleu. Speak to DJ Manish, and you know that he too has a long list of highly popular songs. He says, “Arabic songs like Yalla Habibi by Karl Wolf and Yama Layali by Hayfa Wahbi and French songs like Te Quiero by Stormae and One Lambada by Swedish House Mafia, rank high on my list along with Spanish numbers like Buena Gente by Jason Revas and Rabiosa by Shakira. I recommend the tribal song, Mandala by Deepside DJs.” He also forecasts a bright future for the Italian song El Italiano by Disco Mafia in Pune’s discs.

Although there is always a risk of acceptance, DJs love to try their hands at songs from different languages and places. “You tend to be a bit hesitant in the beginning, but you have to take the risk. There are many songs which are very upbeat, and people get hooked on to them very easily. The plus point is that Puneites are ready to experiment and, hence, it’s not difficult to introduce foreign language songs here," says DJ Prashant. Songs from different languages add a new flavour to the party. As DJ Sunny says, “When the music is so good, who cares about the language.” As DJs continue spinning foreign language tunes, all that party animals can say is ‘we are all ears for more’.

WELCOME THE ‘BRAND’WAGON

Glamour will get a new destination today as a new designer store opens in the city.

STAYING STYLISH: Raageshwari

FASHION will be given a new meaning with Misakee, a Mumbai-based designer store that is opening in Koregaon Park today. Celebrating hi-end fashion with a set of talented designers including Nandita Thirani, Ravage, Ik Senya, Anshu Modi and others, Misakee, the new flagship store is all about grandeur. The brand reflects the spirit of Pune, which is hip and young. Says Manisha Bansal, the brain behind the store, “I wanted to change the shopping scene in Pune, and Misakee was a perfect opportunity to do so.”

Conceived by Sudha Bharatiya, a respected name in the world of fashion for women’s traditional and bridal wear, along with her designer daughter Pallavi Goenka, whose collection Ktha was very well received, Misakee showcases their collections spanning different genres and styles. Available in all hues and shades imaginable, from all over India under one roof, Misakee is unlike any other store. Sudha who is really excited with the launch of the new flagship store says, “After a stupendous run in Mumbai, I want to extend this experience to my patrons in Pune.”

Truly, a delight for the fashionistas, the store is a one-stop destination for for trousseau and all those special occasions. With something for just about everyone, Misakee hopes to bridge the existing gap between top-end designer stores and the middle-rung ones. No wonder, actress and singer Raageshwari loves to ‘show off’ her outfits which are designed by Sudha and is glad to be associated with the brand. “I am a big fan of Sudha Bharatiya. She is a fantastic human being with an awesome attitude. Misakee is great value for money and their ensembles try to bring families together, which sets them apart from the rest,” says the singer who is thrilled to be in city today at the opening of the store. For outstanding craftsmanship and rare pieces, Misakee is a fashionista’s paradise!

‘I WANT TO COPYRIGHT MY VOICE’

Sunny Deol talks to PT during a visit to the city

ONLY JATT: Sunny Deol

HE does not carry the chocolate boy image, nor is he the guy-next-door girls swoon for. But Sunny Deol has a special charm that has won him countless fans nationwide.When the actor was in city for the promotion of his latest film, Yamla Pagla Deewana, the crowd went berserk. “I guess it’s for papa,” said the modest actor who was last seen in Khuda Kasam and Right Yaa Wrong. Right Yaa Wrong received a lot of critical acclaim but failed at box office. What could have gone wrong, we ask. “RYW was a very good film. Post that movie, I have realised the importance of reaching out to people. Promoting a movie is as important as making a good film. And hence, for YPD, we did not leave any stone unturned.”

But the actor has been working on and off, and we do not see much of him on the big screen. “It’s not that I have not been working, but due to health-related ssues I could not do many movies,” Sunny says. He feels that Bollywood has imbibed the corporate culture, and things are very different now. “Yes, there is a lot of change in the way things work now. Initially, I found it a little difficult to adjust. But after YPD, I understand its need.”

Sunny has always been known for his macho roles. How was it doing a comedy after a long time? “All characters are different, and an actor has to get into different shoes all the time. You have to be creative. In fact, I am doing another movie which is a rom-com along the lines of Harry Met Sally.” The actor was recently in the news for talking about the need to copyright his voice. On being quizzed about it, he says, “Yes, I really want to do that. It’s not that you do not enjoy people mimicking you. But there had to be a limit to everything. There have been times when people have crossed the line. The act, instead of being a comedy, becomes an insult. And you can go and stop everyone from not doing that.” So does he want his son to enter movies as well? “Karan wants to become an actor but he still has time. He is too young to enter Bollywood now. It will take him two to three years,” he signs off.

What made Madhuri cry?



NOSTALGIC: Madhuri Dixit



THE pretty actress, who can kill many with her dashing smile, was spotted crying on the sets of the dance reality show, Jhalak Dikhhla Jaa. The reason? It was an audio visual about her school and college days which showed Madhuri Dixit in her carefree days. The video clipping had messages from the actress’ teachers and principal, reminding her about her childhood memories. Touched by the comments, she got nostalgic and that brought tears to the eyes of the dhak dhak girl. “She just could not hold back her tears. She was really touched,” a source told PT. The actress who had the episode dedicated to her, said, “I think childhood days are the best days of one’s life. Nothing can replace those memories.” Madhuri’s childhood friend was also present on the sets to share this moment with her. We agree Madhuri, even though we hate to see you cry!

OUR TEACHERS, OUR FRIENDS

Both teachers and students are using social networking sites to bond with one another.

GETTING updates on our friends’ lives has become easy, courtesy social networking sites. But, look closely and you’ll realise that it’s not just friends that youngsters are in touch with. Browse through TY BCom student Aditi Sharma’s online profile, and you will notice that amidst the ‘likes’ and comments from friends, there is a message or two from her college professor, proving that social networking sites have taken the student-professor relationship to another level altogether.

As Aditi tells us, “My professor and I are online buddies. We share links, chat and interact a lot through social media. It helps us bond better, and it becomes a ‘fun learning’ process.” Agreeing with Aditi is Professor Nidhi Arora, course head, business communication and soft skills, at MIT College of Management. She says, “Being a personality development teacher, social networking sites are a good platform for me. Inside the four walls of a classroom, I am restricted by the usage of words and can give limited live demonstrations. But with the help of online media, I can c o m m u n i - cate with my students and suggest links and videos that could help them understand the topic better.” For Ujjwal K Chowdhury, executive director, ISB&M School of Communication, too, the social network is a way to communicate with all the students at the touch of a button. “If I am reading an interesting article online, and think it would help my students in any way, I just have to post the link on the wall. It makes life really simple. It’s a great tool for sharing links for good reads,” he says.

Apart from being a way to impart knowledge, interacting on social networking sites has helped teachers bond with their students and understand them too. Dr Neha Sharma, director MITCON, explains, “It is a great way to know what the students think, their aspirations, future plans and dreams, on a one-on-one basis. This helps me analyse and understand them and modify the programme according to their needs.” Online communication also helps bridge the student-teacher gap. “The social network is a great equaliser as it puts everyone on the same platform. And students do not hesitate to discuss various issues concerning them,” she adds. The trend seems to have caught on. The affirmation of this is the number of students found in the list of these professors. Group director of Indira Group of Institutes Chetan Wakalkar, whose contact list comprises 90 per cent of students, agrees saying, “Earlier, I just had my friends and relatives on my list. Now, I have more than 1,500 contacts, and most of them are my students. It is a great tool to connect with the students and get their feedback on the various things happening at college.” But the online medium is an informal way of communication. So do students ever cross the line? After a moment’s pause, he says, “There are just one or two such instances. But if someone is not behaving well, these sites also have an option of blocking the person. So why bother? Moreover, we also have internet etiquette classes,” says Wakalkar.

Youngsters are hooked to the social network. If professors are taking using as an opportunity to bond better and make learning fun, then it’s a win-win situation for both.

Developing Global Managers

Minocher Patel

Management students gain a competitive edge through an international finishing school programme

 TO help students get adapted to the competitive corporate environment they would soon be a part of, MITCON Institute of Management, Pune, tied up with Ecole Solitaire, India’s first residential finishing school and international corporate training consultancy for a nine-day finishing school program conducted by the country’s leading motivational speaker and corporate trainer, Minocher Patel for its students. Students from diverse backgrounds are a part of MITCON, pursuing their management courses in specialised verticals including Bio-technology management, Pharmaceutical management, Agri-business and General management. This workshop was an effort to get them all to the same platform for a better understanding of the corporate world. 

Rajesh Purushottam and Neha Sharma



The workshop dealt with a wide range of topics including confidence building, positive attitude, self awareness, self analysis, presentation skills, business etiquette and protocol, telephone etiquette, personal grooming skills, group discussion, interview techniques and others. On the concluding day of the workshop, prizes and certificates were awarded to students. “MITCON and Ecole Solitaire wanted to appreciate the students, who were indeed making genuine efforts to imbibe and incorporate the skills being taught in the workshop on a day-to-day basis. Awards and recognition are a major motivational factor for students hence MITCON and Ecole have instituted these two annual awards — Best students with etiquette and manners and the Most congenial and helpful student. This year, Hrikishesh Kanitkar and Prasit Sengupta bagged the awards respectively,” says Dr Neha Sharma, director, MITCON.

Addressing the students, the chief guest for the day, Rajesh Purushottam, general manager (HR) of a global corporate, said, “In today’s competitive world, soft skills play a major role in the overall development of a personality and it’s nice to know that MITCON is investing in high quality workshops conducted by somebody at the calibre of Minocher Patel who is highly acclaimed and well respected in the corporate sector for his straining and coaching skills to the students' needs.” Says Minocher Patel, Founder and Director of Ecole Solitaire. “I’m extremely happy to receive positive feedback from the students at MITCON. Over the four years of our association, it has always been our vision and objective at Ecole Solitaire to conduct world class programmes for our students which will not only make them more employable but also help them succeed on the professional and personal front.” The students were thankful to the institute for providing them a once in a life time experience of spending nine days in a Minocher Patel workshop. No doubt, the students unanimously accepted that the programme completely changed their outlook towards life.

‘My dad was a salesman’

Satish Kaushik on his role in Salesman Ramlal, the play being staged today as part of the Times Pune Festival

VERSATILE: Satish Kaushik



AN actor and a fine director, Satish Kaushik is in the city to act in Salesman Ramlal, a play that talks about the life of an ordinary man with extraordinary dreams. A part of the Times Pune Festival, Salesman Ramlal is an Indian adaptation of Arthur Miller’s classic, Death of a Salesman.

Kaushik, who plays the protagonist, says he loves challenging roles. He adds, “I love playing complex characters like that of Ramlal. Such roles tap the ultimate potential of an actor. Salesman Ramlal or Chanu in Brick Lane, they put you in a different bracket. These roles have helped me get acceptance as an actor.” The play has been running successfully for over ten years now. “The play has received loads of appreciation. I still remember the day Feroz (director Feroz Abbas Khan) asked me to be a part of the play. We have known each other since my Prithvi Theatre days. He always believed in me as an actor. He convinced me that I could essay such a complex role, and do justice to it.”

Since the play is an adaptation, did he read the Miller original? “I didn’t read it earlier as I knew the play, as it has been staged earlier too. But Feroz’s adaption is fresh, and it’s different from what has been done before. It has been formatted to suit today’s milieu, and has the ability to connect with everyone from any part of the world.” 

Does the play also have a comic element like many of his movies? “Yes. Although it is serious, it has a light-hearted feel to it. Playing Ramlal was very interesting as I could relate to him. It has many elements of my personality. My dad was a salesman, and I could feel his fatigue. I could connect to the role as there were a lot of shades of my dad in it.”

After having played many comic roles, the actor says that he struggles to show his diversity and range. “Because of my weight, I think, I get to play all kinds of comic roles. But I have been working out from last July, and lost at least 15 kgs till now. I am pushing myself to get fit. I guess a variety of roles will pour in thereafter.” Though we love him as Calender in Mr. India or Mutthu Swami in Saajan Chale Sasural, seeing more of him would be a great experience for sure.

Big returns

Bollywood will be showcasing many sequels this year.

SEQUEL MANIA: With bigger casts and more masala,
sequels plan to rock this year

THIS is the new season for Bollywood. This is the season of sequels. If you loved watching Salman Khan’s action flick Wanted, or enjoyed Abhishek Bachchan and John Abraham’s chemistry in Dostana, a lot more is in store for you in the coming months. A second innings of Don, Dostana, Race, Dhamaal, Partner and Wanted along with Dhoom 3 and Hera Pheri 4 are surely going to make 2011, a year of sequels. While King Khan will be seen romancing Piggy Chops in Don 2 with Lara Dutta as the new addition, Wanted 2 and Partner 2 will feature its original cast.

Although many might not have announced the final date of release or the star-cast, one thing is for sure: everyone is trying their best to recreate the magic of the first part. “There is a baggage of high expectations with a sequel. The hype is always there as the part ones of the movies have been big hits. The hard work is more as the team knows that they need to live up to the expectations and capitalise on it by making a better product,” says trade analyst Taran Adarsh. When a brand name is established, the chances of a better collection in the first week of the sequel are higher. Take for instance Munna Bhai MBBS. Though it had a slow start when it released, it went on to become one of the biggest grossers of 2003. So when Lage Raho Munna Bhai released three years later, people came in hordes to see what the sequel had to offer. But Deepa Gahlot, film critic, believes that one cannot generalise the success rate of sequels. She explains, “It is hard to generalise, since sequels are relatively new to Bollywood. It goes without saying that, if the original is good, then the sequel has a chance. But the yardstick that applies to every other film, applies to sequels as well — that is, it has to be good. I feel that Munnabhai’s sequel was genuinely good; maybe even better than the first. Same was the case with Rohit Shetty’s Golmaal.”

Film critic Ajit Duara, who believes that Wanted’s sequel has the best prospects at the box-office, adds that a sequel is just a marketing device. “A movie can be called a sequel when there is continuity in the script. But here, they just use the brand name and, may be, the same characters. But that is it.” Trade analyst Vinod Mirani agrees, “The script is always the God. The brand name might draw more people to the theatres. But if the content does not work, then the formula will inevitably fail.” 

Sometimes the cast becomes bigger than the movie, which increases the possibility of having a successful sequel. Mirani agrees, “Hera Pheri would not be what it is sans Paresh Rawal. If the cast has worked in the first movie, then it’s important to retain them as it helps enhance the connect with the audience. This also helps maintain continuity.” Some trade analysts seem to be quite excited about the entry of sequels in B-town. But whether or not the audience will accept this trend and the movies will strike gold at box-office, only time can tell.