The Unsung Hero of Sholay - ZEE5’s The Sholay Girl

Every movie buff across generations will definitely remember the iconic film, Sholay. Ramesh Sippy’s 1975 Bollywood classic is what memorable films are made of — a stellar storyline, well thought out characters, meaningful dialogues, and above all powerhouse performers. Each actor left a mark on the audience in their own way...  Every one envied the Jai-Veeru friendship while feeling compassionate towards the young widow Radha, some even expressed the desire to avenge for the shawl clad Thakur and punish the devil incarnate Gabbar.

However, the one character that caught everyone by surprise was Basanti, the love interest of Veeru... a feisty village belle who rode a horse cart for a living and talked a mile a minute. The film showed multiple facets of Basanti from irritating to silly, from coy to shrewd, from illogical to ferocious — keeping a viewer pegged to her character. However, the most arresting aspect of Basanti was the dare-devil stunts that were performed by the character during crucial points in the film.  At one such point,  Basanti narrowly escapes the villain's goons in a thrilling horse cart chase, the sequence sent shivers down every girl's spine; except for one - Reshma Pathan, the female stunt double who actually filmed the scene for the film. Seriously injured during the chase scene, she bounced back into work within a few days. 

Sholay wasn't the first film Reshma did as a stunt artist but Sholay made her known name in the industry, something which eluded many stunt women during the time in the film industry. The story of most such artists largely remained behind the scenes and would remain anonymous even today if not for director Aditya Sarpotdar’s The Sholay Girl, a biopic on Reshma Pathan. Released on Women’s Day this year, here’s why you should watch The Sholay Girl online which is currently streaming on ZEE5. 

The Sholay Girl is one such film that plots the life of a young girl who began working as a stunt double from the age of 14 years and charted her journey through numerous trials and struggles to reach a milestone in a career that was restricted to men. Check the trailer of the film here. 

The two main characters of The Sholay Girl, Reshma Pathan is played by Bidita Bag of Babumoshai Bandookbaaz fame and Stunt Director Asim is played by Chandan Roy Sanyal. Bidita Bag nails her character to the T and delivers an honest compelling performance that instantly transports viewers to the 70s era. She has so beautifully lived the character throughout the film that it leaves a distinct mark in viewers minds for a long time. Chandan Roy Sanyal delivers a performance that only a few can replicate, and does so effortlessly. The powerhouse duo brings to life every scene they are in, giving a visual representation to bravery, strength and indomitable resilience.

The film is the one with a truly happy ending that celebrates the work of an invisible hero Reshma Pathan, her daring personality and her never-give-up attitude. So, watch ZEE5 original The Sholay Girl online for a truly uplifting, realistic, no-frills biopic that will add a ‘can-do’ spirit to your thoughts. Click here to get more insights on The Sholay Girl. 

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pH His Way To Perfect Skin, With SebaMed Baby

When do you think your skin is at its optimum best? 

Very surprisingly or not, no one is really sure that the skin is the best at a given day... But I do and no it is not what you think. Research says that skin is at its optimum best during infancy with a pH level of 5.5 which makes it slightly acidic in nature. An ideal pH level is the only reason, a baby’s skin feels the softest, most supple and perfectly nourished and moisturised at touch. However, at this stage, it is also quite tender and sensitive to the new environment it is exposed to and needs extra protection to maintain it.

The most important aspect of skincare apart from cleansing and moisturising is to preserve the natural pH balance as it plays a vital role in protecting the body by neutralising alkaline-based external aggressors and restoring the skin’s natural defences. Balancing the skin's pH level is not as difficult or as complicated as it sounds, in fact, it is relatively simple and easy to achieve. An effortless way is to enhance pH in the body is by using products that are either neutral or slightly acidic in nature. There are numerous  brands that offer pH neutral products and specifically for infants and babies. I use SebaMed Baby, a range of bath, skin and sun care products created specifically with a pH value of 5.5 to make #MyLittleMan Rajveer’s skin more resilient and less sensitive. With the harsh summers around the corner in India, I've planned my skincare regime for him with products suggested by his paediatric dermatologist which include steps to nourish, cleanse, moisturise and protect his skin.

The two step routine begins with a nourishing and cleansing bath for which I'm ditching the bathing soap and opting for SebaMed Baby Extra Soft Wash. The botanical cleanser with a refatting compound containing vernix protects his skin from harmful bacteria and encourages moisture retention thereby minimising the risk of dryness and irritation.

The next step is moisturising with SebaMed Baby Cream to promote skin development and protecting with SebaMed Baby Sun Lotion to prevent dehydration. The rapidly absorbing, non-greasy formula of the cream and lotion helps preserve moisture balance and acts as a natural pH buffer to keep skin healthy and glowing. 

A few things that I absolutely love about the Sebamed Baby range of products are: 
~ developed and clinically tested by dermatologists 
~ recommended by paediatricians as well as dermatologists 
~ suitable for all skin types, especially sensitive and young skin
~ suitable from birth right up to adolescence
~ free of harmful ingredients like soap, mineral oil and chemicals
~ has an ideal pH 5.5 content to nourish and protect a baby’s skin

Thankfully, balancing Rajveer's skin's pH levels have never been easier, thanks to Sebamed Baby range of products. As you see sustaining the natural pH quotient of his skin doesn't require an elaborate skin care routine, just remembering what his skin likes and dislikes. Once I understood those little details, I have been able to give him the best thing to wear every day.... a gorgeous healthy skin.

Until next time,
~ Heena

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Can You Improve Your Heart Health With Soy Protein?

Our heart is the busiest organ of the body, every second pumping millions of gallons of blood to every cell, ensuring a steady flow of oxygen, fuel, hormones and other vital compounds that are essential for our overall wellbeing. With the immense work-load that it endures for such a consistently long time, there are chances that it may suffer greatly, in case of instances of a poor diet, absence of exercise, substance abuse, other underlying conditions and sometimes even genes. So to ensure that the heart is in a happy healthy status, one must make healthy changes in the lifestyle which essentially involves - an eating plan that is based on natural whole foods and daily exercise that comprises of cardiovascular conditioning.

Research shows that foods rich in fatty acids and protein, especially the ones that are plant-based; are most likely to help reduce the risk of heart diseases due to their low saturated fat content and high fibre content. One of the most prominent plant-based protein that I know of, is Soy Protein. As per the Protein Digestibility-Corrected Amino Acid Score, soy protein is pegged to be a complete source of protein — rich in omega-3 fatty acids, rich in minerals like calcium, iron, magnesium and selenium and low in saturated fat content.

As per the American Heart Association food containing soy protein help reduce the level of Low-Density Lipoprotein Cholesterol while help raise the level of High-Density Lipoprotein Cholesterol. Scientific history shows a low LDL and high HDL improves blood pressure and arterial health which in turn aids heart health. Additionally, soy protein is rich in fibre, vitamins and minerals that provides cardiovascular benefits, which is invaluable for heart health. 

Soy from both a culinary and a nutritional standpoint is critical to those consuming plant-based diets. Soybeans and food items made from it — soy milk, tofu, edamame, tempeh, etc have been important and continue to play an essential role in not only traditional food but also modern cuisine. A cup of soy-rich food provides approximately 15 grams of protein, which is twice the content found in other legumes and much higher compared to other plant protein. Many people are still very new to incorporating soy in their diets, so we chalked out a few ways of consuming soy that you could check in our article here and we also cooked up a range of delectable dishes that you could check in our article here to see how you can bring soy home. 

Even though the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) states that 25 grams of soy protein a day, may reduce the risk of heart disease and numerous research finding of soy and heart health by brands like DuPont are encouraging,  I believe that only soy in itself is not the answer. A healthy heart requires a more comprehensive approach which includes a balanced diet, exercise, and cessation of substances like smoking, alcohol and drugs. 

Until next time, 
~ Heena

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Lets End The HIV Epidemic In India, Ask IRA

In 2018, World Health Organisation launched the ‘Know Your Status’ initiative on World AIDS day to celebrate 30 years of the global health campaign started in 1988. WHO advocates and urges people to know their HIV status through testing, while pushing countries to make healthcare accessible to all via prevention, treatment and care services.


According to the United Nations Programme on HIV and AIDS, there are more than 2.01 million people in India who live with HIV; an additional 88,000 people get infected every year and about 69,000 who pass away in AIDS-related deaths. Apart from the grim statistics, the overall stigma and prejudice associated with the condition marginalises the infected people, pushing them to withdraw and curl into their shells. With the ostracisation and shame, the lack of information perpetuates the issue. That's bad news, indeed. 

However, the good news is that HIV is preventable and manageable by the dissemination of relevant and timely information; with sensitivity and tact. 

And who better to do it than IRA.

#HIVFreeIndia #HIV #AIDS #ReThinkHIV #SpeakOutHIV #EndAIDS

IRA - a conversational platform which provides people with relevant, factually correct and apt information to all the queries and concerns about HIV and AIDS. IRA has been created to assist people gather information and engage with HIV services, including risk screening and referrals to know more about and further combat the condition. Another important aspect of the platform is to motivate individuals to manage their HIV status with personal responsibility and take corrective steps to lead a better life. IRA is a friendly, non-judgemental ally; available 24/7 on yes4me.com in your fight against HIV. 

Since the site launch last year, IRA has been exceptionally busy helping many Indians in their fight against HIV-AIDS, with a virtual support group that encourages risk assessment, positive prevention, ART services, adherence and viral load testing. Let’s not leave IRA alone, join hands to offer support to make India HIV/AIDS-free or in the least guide people to https://yes4me.net/IRA who can help at the click of a button.

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How To Avoid Telltale Signs Of A Facelift

Are you considering a facelift to make you look decades younger? Then, lifting your face should be a priority. Plastic surgery is arguably the best way to make you appear more youthful and used by thousands of beauty and fashion icons worldwide. However, you need to be careful when selecting surgery to lift your face as there is a possibility that it may not go as desired and leaves signs for everyone to see. And then to attempt to correct such mistakes is a daunting task, and the results are not guaranteed to be favourable.

Why is a facelift necessary?
People age differently. You might realise that you look younger or older than your age and people of similar ages. A problem can arise when you feel that your body, especially your face has aged more than the rest of your body. Sometimes your career or your genetic predisposition can make you age uncomfortably faster which may misconstrue your facial expressions. For example; a sag in your mid-face can make you look droopy even when you are smiling. A facelift in such a case will make you look and feel younger.

There are various reasons people seek surgical intervention to improve their facial appearance, some of which are as follows: 
• To minimise creases along the nose which proceed along the mouth that are the major signs of ageing. 
• To reduce the mid-face sagging which makes you look unhappy at all times.
• To make the jowls in the jawline smooth which will make you look much younger. 
• To remove the double chin which just looks ugly making you look older. 

How is a successful aesthetic facial surgery done?
Generally, a hairline incision is made from the temple area all the way to just behind the temples for a simple facelift. If you want to reduce a double chin, a similar incision is made in the naturally occurring crease below the chin. Hiding the scars in these ares are pretty easy; in fact, it will be extremely hard even for you to pinpoint the exact incisions. However, this requires a surgeon with enough experience and technique.

What are the telltale signs of facial surgery?
Firstly, you shouldn't know the signs of facial surgery because they should not be there in the first place. Face surgery should lift your spirit, making you feel younger and happy. Unfortunately, if this procedure is not done properly, the following signs can give you away:

• Distorted and stretched face skin due to overdoing the reconstruction.
• An altered hairline if the incision is not symmetrical on either side of the face. 
• Conspicuously high brows  especially if exaggerated, will make the face look odd. 
• Distorted ears if there is loss of symmetry during the surgery.
• Deformity in the neck if the lifting of the chin skin is done poorly. 

These signs are frightful and should never happen. However, this is not to discourage you from going for surgery as it is quite a routine procedure and many surgeons can uplift your face beautifully and leave no traces whatsoever.

How to avoid the telltale signs of a facial surgery?
When it comes to avoiding the signs of facial surgery, there are two approaches, one that is the surgery that is the onus of the surgeon and second that is the care which is the requirement by the patient.

An experienced surgeon will not have trouble making the surgery as conspicuous as possible with two key skills, namely making incisions in areas where they cannot be easily seen and avoiding stretching the skin more than required and of course the incision symmetry.

A patient needs to ensure that the surgeon selected is adequately experienced for the kind of surgery needed. Also the outcome depends on the condition of the face, which in a way limits the results. Align the expectations with the pre-mediated result so as to not put unnecessary pressure on the surgeon.

Conclusion
A facelift should make you happy, however, if it is not done well it can make you look weird. Distorted earlobes, scars in your face, misaligned hairlines can make you regret the procedure. As it is both an expensive and time-consuming procedure, pick the right surgeon to make you face. A good plastic surgery should leave no sign behind after the surgery is over and healed. At the same time, you should not be over ambitious since there is a limit on what can be done to make you look younger and pretty.

Dr. Miller heads one of the leading anti-ageing centres in England. This board-certified surgeon specialises in plastic surgery especially facelifts His experience in this field can be affirmed by the fact that he is a member of ‘The American Society of Aesthetic Plastic Surgeons’, ‘The American Society of Plastic Surgeons’ and ‘The Royal College of Surgeons of Edinburgh’. You can learn more about him here.

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Fat Grafting for Breast Augmentation: Pros and Cons

A cosmetic surgery is the simple technique to transfer body fat to breasts in order improve the size and shape of the breast. This technique is known as breast augmentation through which the surgeon enhances the natural proportions of the breast while improving the symmetry and aesthetics of the breasts.

There are a number of reasons women opt to undergo the procedure, however one of the biggest reasons is to accentuate breast size and shape. The procedure is also effective to rectify prominent asymmetries in breasts and deformities. However some other reasons women choose breast augmentation are:
• Recovering from the effects of pregnancy and breastfeeding. 
• Achieving a balanced shape that complements curvy hips.
• Improving self-confidence and self-image.
• Restoring swimsuit confidence.

What makes a patient an ideal candidate for the surgery?
A lot of people get fantastic results by undergoing fat transfer procedure to enhance their buttocks, face, hands or cheeks. The best parameters to get the procedure done is age between 30 and 65, good body fat to harvest from and overall good health. Other pre-requirements to be an ideal candidate are as follows: 
• Should have realistic expectations and be informed about the procedure
• Should be healthy and have a stable weight 
• Should not be pregnant or be breastfeeding 
• Should not be a smoker 

What are the pre-requirements for the procedure?
There is a chance your consultant or their staff might give you a list of precaution, however, following are the main instructions to be considered: 
• Avoid smoking for a specified amount of time 
• No alcohol intake and limited eating the night before 
• Do not drive post-surgery; have someone to accompany you while driving home 

The patient is generally given general anaesthesia or injected for conscious sedation, hence the patient is either asleep or is sedated during the procedure. During surgery, small incisions are used in order to create space for the implant. After properly positioning the implant, the surgeon closes the incisions and bandages them. Generally, it takes around two hours to complete the entire procedure and then patients are discharged to go home.

What are the benefits associated with augmentation?
Although the benefits differ from patient to patient, ever individual opting the procedure should know the benefits as below:
• No allergic reactions as patient’s own body fat is used for the procedure 
• The procedure can done along with other procedures like liposuction. 
• A natural result as patient’s own body fat is used for the procedure
• The rest time is generally less, however if done with another procedure it may require a few more days. 
• No infections as fat transfer does not include any use of synthetic material.
• The results are immediate which improve over a period of few weeks and are long-lasting. 

What are the risks associated with augmentation?
All surgeries generally have some risks which the patients should be made aware beforehand. Augmentation poses the following risks: 
• A rare chance of leaks in the implant. 
• Pain and tenderness in the area. 
• Prominence in scar tissue causing dissatisfaction. 
• A rare chance of asymmetrical results. 

An incision always leaves a permanent scar, however, in this procedure the scars heal well and the prominence goes away with time. It is a general practice to leave minimalistic scar underneath the breast so they are not visible however one should be informed about the placement and size of the scar by the consultant before the surgery. 

What to expect after the procedure?
Breast augmentation is typically an outpatient procedure performed under general anaesthesia. Patients can expect to walk around on their own after the surgery and even leave the house within a couple of days. In the first week, patients may feel a bit sore and will be advised to avoid exercising. A surgical or a sports bra might also be prescribed by the surgeon for a certain period. The patient should religiously follow the surgeon’s instructions to be able to heal quickly. 

It is beneath the pectoral muscle where the breast implant is placed which makes it feel as if the breasts are sitting high on the chest however it is a normal stage in the process as your implants will eventually settle in the optimal position over the next few weeks. After the breast implants settle, the following after care is recommended:
• Maintain regular screening.
• Undergo corrective surgery incase of weight fluctuations.
• Wear a bra with appropriate support to prevent sagging.

Dr. Donald Roland is a New York City-based board-certified plastic surgeon with extensive knowledge in body procedures. Dr. Roland specialises in breast treatments and can do a variety of surgeries, to know more visit one of the best centres of breast augmentation in New York City.

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Travel Bag Packing Tips to Hold You Together

Vacations are my life, but family vacations are getting stressful as they now mean planning and packing for a huge group. Our vacations are now overwhelming as we travel in a group of six, with two kids…one under the age of one. Of course, over the years I have accumulated a great deal of packing experience and my travel bags are ready almost two days prior to our travel date. But are they really? 

Yes, they are! That was a moment of truth when I decided it was time to make a check-list with my packing wisdom, and separate the dos from the do not's. I am not going to detail out what you need to pack or with a list of must-have items, as that would be extremely individualistic. Instead, I’m going to share some packing tips that have helped me hold things together and I’m guessing they are going to help you do the same.

Make Lists
The easiest way to ensure you are getting everything you need is to make an essentials checklist for travelling with a child, then go on to make separate lists for everyone. Once the lists are ready, pick out the things and keep adding them to individual piles while crossing the same off the list. This will help you not to forget knee socks for your dad and a favourite blanket for your baby.

Use Cubes
The best way to keep your bags organised is to pack using packing cubes. Either you can keep organised by putting together daily outfits or by clubbing clothing you will need at a particular destination (assuming you are travelling to multiple places). This method also helps as you need not unpack everything when travelling and just need to pull out a particular cube and be sorted. 

Emergency Set
The convenient way to be ready for any emergencies or delays is to have an emergency set at hand, tugged safely in a piece of hand luggage. An emergency set should contain a set of spare clothes and a cosy blanket or sweater for each of the family members and some toiletries and a few toys for everyone to share.

Individual Bags
The most tempting thought would be to pack all your kids things in one bag but that would be the most inconvenient and a sure shot way to get disorganised. Instead, have medium sized travel bags for each child, in which all their items go, making them partly responsible for their own stuff. If you do not have enough bags, you can check out travel bags online.

Keep Space
The simple method of packing will push you to fill your travel bags as best as you can, but I prefer to differ. Leave some room in every bag for ease of finding as well as for things that you may want to bring back from your holiday. More times than not you may have to otherwise pack in an extra bag for your souvenir shopping.

Is there something, in particular, you do when packing? Share your tips with me in the comments section and I shall have them added to the article. 

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Bring Soy Home, A Super Food For Super Health

I've talked at length about protein deficiency and the problems associated with it earlier on the blog and how soy protein helps to bridge that gap, especially for those who follow a vegetarian diet. Though the debate on the pros and cons of soy has been around for a very long time, with an equal number of people for and against it, I personally believe that there has been enough study and research to have busted all the myths surrounding it. Of course, I'm not going to discuss those myths, but I am surely going to touch upon the benefits of soy and share with you a few dishes that will easy soy into your daily intake of food. 

As the perfect vegan protein-rich item, soy offers the following health benefits -
Low in Fat: Soy is an excellent source of fibre with almost zero fat and zero cholesterol content. This makes it one of the easiest food items to digest. 

Rich in Omega-3: Soy contains a high content of omega-3 fatty acids which makes it a great agent of anti-ageing, combating diseases like cancer, dementia and diabetes. 

Full of Minerals: Soy is rich in essential minerals like calcium, iron, magnesium and selenium making it an element of building strong bones and muscles.  

Complete source of Protein: Soy is the only vegetarian food item that is a complete protein with all eight amino acids making it an essential component for all bodily functions.

This makes soy a power-packed ingredient that can be used to make a range of delectable dishes. But in spite of such amazing health benefits, soy is hardly seen in everyday food. So I thought I should introduce you to some dishes that are easy to cook and offer unique flavours which will make you fall in love with soy, just like they did to me.

Zucchini Stuffed with Soya 

Zucchini Stuffed with Soya is a baked flatbread, made with zucchini and stuffed soy-spice mix and served as a side dish during an elaborate meal.

Soyognese

Soyognese is the vegetarian take on bolognese, perfect sauce to dress up spaghetti or lasagne and best served for dinner.

Soya Florentine

Soya Florentine is an oodle to lasagna, made of soy and spinach coupled with cheese and best served as light dinner.

Soybean Falafel

Soybean Falafel is a ball or a flat or a doughnut-shaped patty, made with soy and herbs that can be served with hummus or a veggies dip, as a light snack.

Soya Nuggets 65

Soya Nuggets 65 is a spicy, deep-fried soy dish that can be served with a bowl of rice and a colourful fruit salad as a quick entrée. 

Though there are numerous dishes that can be prepared with soy, you can also pick some which are easily available in the market, especially those from DuPont, a world leader in developing innovative soy-based ingredients that enable nutritious and great-tasting food and beverage products. The rigorous quality standards, advanced technologies, manufacturing and inventory control ensures they offer the best soy products. 

So now as you have both the options, stop making excuses and take that vegetarian meal a notch up in tasty and health with soy.

Until next time,
~ Heena

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Wedding Shoes, Tips To Pick The Perfect Pair

The date is set, the card is selected, the wedding dress is picked and the accessories are coordinated. Now all you need is the right pair of shoes to dazzle on your big day. But you have no idea where to start, except that traditionally brides preferred to match their wedding shoes to their wedding dresses. But that is so very passé now. In 2019, brides are paying attention to their footwear more than ever, and experimenting with different shoe silhouettes and styles.

Just like every aspect of your wedding ensemble, there are many options in wedding footwear but most of the time brides end up picking glitter pumps or heels for their celebrations. For my wedding in 2007, I alternated between a pair of super cute ankle strap heels and super stylish gold glitter pumps, and both had the same magical effect on the overall look. However, today if you are wondering what kind of heels you should opt for, for your wedding celebrations, I’m going to share with you, the best options you can choose from.

Stilettos

Without a shred of doubt, one of the best silhouettes in high heels is the Stilettos, however not the most comfortable if you aren’t used to wearing it. But if it is your choice of heels I’d suggest to pick a colour to either to compliment or contrast your dress and make them both stand out. 

Pumps

The most ideal wedding heels that can easily add 3-4 inches to your height and make you look taller are the pumps. Go for this heel if you want toffee a little air under your feet. Though pumps are available in numerous shades I'd definitely recommend silver glitter pumps that will compliment any dress. 

Ankle Strap 

A perfect pair of heels that offers more stability with a strap around the ankle making it super comfortable not only to walk in but also dance in are the ankle strap heels. I'd keep in mind to get a pair with straps that are small to medium in thickness, so they don’t bite and cut into your skin.

Kitten Heels

The perfect choice of heels if comfort is more important to you than style, would be the kitten heels. The silhouette makes you look as cute as a button and the comfort is top notch making them a perfect companion for the entire celebration. I'd pick ones with beautifully crafted heels in various forms to make it more endearing. 

Now that we have the type of heels you want sorted out, here are some tips to make picking one easy.

1. Get a style you have worn before and are comfortable in. Don’t experiment with heel height.

2. Pick the right size and wear them in for a few hours before the D-day.

3. Opt for comfort, stability and style, precisely in that order.

4. Bring a spare pair of shoes and keep them under the bridal table, in case you need to change.

5. Keep a footwear survival kit handy; with band-aids and gel inserts.

Finally, always remember, it is your wedding day and what you wear is a matter of personal preference. Pick whatever your heart desires to make your perfect wedding ensemble and just remember to have fun. 

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What to expect from Richa Chadda’s Cabaret?

I first noticed her in the Dibakar Banerjee’s ‘Oye Lucky! Lucky Oye’ which released in 2009 where she played a supporting role of Dolly. In the movie, she is able to humanise the quirky character with her multi-dimensional facets. However, her breakthrough performance came in later with Anurag Kashyap’s crime drama  ‘Gangs of Wasseypur’ where she played a pivotal role of Nagma Khatoon, exceptionally pulling off a role of a 16-year-old girl, who matures into a 60-year-old woman through the course of the duology. I am talking about Richa Chadda, considered today as one of the finest performers in the Indian entertainment industry, with immeasurable talent.

Over the years her ease in front of a camera has been appreciated with some extremely noteworthy performances; as Bholi Punjaban in the Fukrey franchise, Devi Pathak in Masaan and Zarina Malik in the TV series Inside Edge.

The three-time award winner is set to dazzle audiences with her new film - Cabaret, a ZEE5 Original. The thriller directed by Kaustav Narayan Niyogi and produced by Pooja Bhatt for Fisheye Network Private Limited follows the life of a girl from Jharkhand, who begins her journey with dreams of making it big in the world of dance but ends up as a cabaret dancer. As I watched the film’s trailer, there were a few things that got me excited which I have listed below: 

Engaging Storyline

Trust Richa to choose a script that has an engaging narrative. Going by the trailer of the movie, Cabaret shows incredible promise of being a thrilling ride through the dark corners of mystery and deceit. Being set in the entertainment industry, the movie also shows another side to the showbiz and sees Richa burn the dance floor with her scorching presence and dance moves. 

Honest Performance

Even though it seems the easiest thing of a filmmaking journey, it is evident the amount of hard work that Richa would have put into attaining the perfection that a script as original and raw as Cabaret demands. Being the first time Richa dons the role of a dancer, Cabaret shows how flawlessly she can perform, portraying the innocence of the village belle to the shrewdness of a cabaret dance to utter perfection. The character development can be seen distinctly through the trailer and Richa beautifully plays it with a high believability factor. 

Overall Styling

The overall look and feel of the central character lends authenticity to the film and enables the viewers to move with the story, which is clearly evident in Richa’s costumes and make-up. The trailer of Cabaret shows the emphasis the team has put into the overall styling of the film as every facet of the movie has a rich glitzy feel to it which is needed for a film dealing with the entertainment industry.

Check out the trailer to know about the movie yourself.

What in the trailer excites you to watch the movie? Do let me know in the comments below.

Until next time, 

~ Heena

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Ideal Gifts to pick for a Newborn

RV came into this world kicking up a storm and I was overwhelmed with emotion and anxiety. My second brush with motherhood was fairly simple as compared to the first time when #PrincessHeer arrived, I knew what to do and what not. I also knew particularly what I needed and what I didn’t. While it’s easy for new parents to figure out what they need for their newborns, it’s pretty tricky for friends and family to know what to gift when visiting the newborn. Sometimes they think they have picked the most ideal gift which actually turns out either to be completely useless or gifted in multiples.

So this time to negate the unnecessary, I created a unique online gift registry that brings together unique baby and kids products from over 35 brands under one roof. These products are perfect gifts for every occasion including birthdays, baby showers, and more. As I created a registry for RV, I browsed through different websites, selected products and added them to my wishlist; which then I shared with my friends and family in just a single click. And voila, I received the most appropriate and useful things that would ease my motherhood journey.

Do you want to know what products I picked for my little man?

Diapers

Diapers are the most obvious gift for a newborn, however, only a few people I know think of diapers as an appropriate baby gift. Maybe the rationale behind it is that diapers don’t last, and one wants to gift something that stays forever. This issue is now resolved with eco-friendly, reusable cloth diapers that not only keep the baby happy and healthy but also keep the environment safe. Reusable cloth diapers from brands like SuperButtoms have now become the most appreciated and useful gift for new parents. I received a dual pack of Superbottoms Plus Uno that are perfect to start diapering, as they are a sustainable, rash-free option for babies up to 3 years of age. The diapers are the slimmest cloth diapers available in cutest prints, that work as a 3-in-1 product; re a diaper, a pocket diaper and a swim diaper.

Carrier

The one thing that I learnt with #PrincessHeer was that no matter how cosy a swing or bouncy seat is, she always wanted to be cuddled in my arms. And no matter how much I loved doing it, it became impossible for me to go about my daily routine while carrying her. So I particularly wanted a fuss-free, hands-free baby carrier that ensured maximum comfort and luxury for RV. Of the many national and international brands available I picked the Yoga Carrier from Cookiie Pie Co. for its silhouette which helps a baby nest against your body in the most natural way. The Yoga Carrier is the easiest way to soothe a baby during sleepless nights and tiring days, with its supportive waist belt and cushioned under thigh guard. The Yoga Carrier is a practical gift for new parents that can be used until the baby weighs 20 kgs.

Blanket

I was surprised with just how many types of baby blankets are available in the market today, making it extremely difficult for new parents to figure out what exactly would be appropriate for an infant. The main job of a good baby blanket is to provide the newborn with positive sleep associations helping him to fall asleep without too much fuss, and keep him calm and reassured. The Dro Sto blanket that I received, is a gorgeous piece in a lightweight and breathable fabric perfect for swaddling, tummy time and everything in between. The blanket allows RV to sleep easily and peacefully, without heating the body even in a warm climate. The blanket is available in lots of fun colours and exciting characters, and be rest assured that there is a Dro Sto blanket that can match any nursery. The Dro Sto blanket is so snuggly, soft and cushiony, that I wish they made it in full sizes for adult-kids like myself to feel amazing.

Footwear

New parents receive numerous clothing items as gifts, but not once have I heard or seen baby footwear given as gifts. Believe it or not baby socks, booties and shoes are essential for every newborn as they help regulate a baby’s temperature. In fact, I’ve personally experienced that fussiness decreases as soon as RV’s little feet are covered and warm. Since I didn't want to leave it to chance I added a few products from Aviv a brand that specialises in custom-made handcrafted baby footwear on my must-have list of baby products. The brand Aviv works with local artisans supporting cottage industries to offer luxuriously soft, super flexible, thin-soled baby footwear made with carefully chosen materials to keep your little one's feet protected. The brand offers a ton of colours and patterns for both little girls and boys that will help your little one stand out in a crowd. Not only are the shoes a perfect keepsake, but the brand also offers bags for toddlers and tooth pouches for kids as well, all perfect to create lasting memories.

Rocker

A rocker or a bouncing chair is an absolute lifesaver for a new parent, and I know this as #PrincessHeer had colic and it was the most perfect way to help her lay in a reclined position to help reduce reflux and also allow for a soothing rocking motion. After intense scrutiny, I picked a good quality rocker from Little Olive rocker for its ergonomic design and premium quality material that is suitable for a newborn. The rocker not only keeps the baby engaged during playtimes, but it also offers a great position in the initial days of feeding and also serves as a great option for a baby to sleep in. The Little Olive rocker not only cradles little RV in comfort and provides optimal support for his back but also soothing massage-like feel with the vibrate function to keep him safe and engaged.

What do you think? Are these products perfect gifts for a newborn or do you think there are other products that would make ideal gifts? Leave me your suggestions in the comments below about what would make ideal gifts for a newborn; or some interesting episode when you received gifts for your little ones.

Until next time,
~ Heena

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