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October 16, 2008

Bollywood Divas On The Ramp

Bollywood Divas On The RampView pics of the India Couture Week.

Keeping with the latest wave of India-centric style in the fashion industry. Many designers turned to some of Bollywood's delectable diva's to present their vision of couture at the recent India Couture Week held in Mumbai in September.

And in true desi ishtyle the Bollywood beauties certainly added the glitz and glamour to the shows. Though maybe not as sculpted and chiselled as the willowy indigenous models the actresses turned models certainly kept the audience mesmerized as they presented the designer clothing with their own individual aura and mystique.

Swaying down the ramp were Sawaariya's leading actress Sonam Kapoor for good ole' pal Anamika Khanna. On Anamika's clothing Sonam said, she loved Anamika's clothes because they not only looked good but they also felt comfortable. Karishma Kapoor caused a ripple of appreciation and sighs amongst the male audience members as she tore up the runaway in a stunning Manav Gangavi maroon velvet lehenga ensemble. Former Miss Universe (1st Runner Up) Madhu Sapre delighted the audience in Ashish Soni adding a touch of Italian joie de vivre in her mannerisms.


Priyanka Chopra exuded demurity and innocence as immortalized a painting of Mogul Miniaturism in award-winning designer Ritu Kumar's latest bridal collection. Kumar's decadent, embroidered and embossed lehengas were picture perfect as they showcased the best of urban taste with regional craftsmanship. The lehengas utilized a range of textures from the wispy organdies, chiffons and crepes to the heavier silks and brocades sometimes incorporating many fabrics at once. The embroidery illuminating the best of hand-embroidery in Kashmiri kashida, Punjabi phulkari, and gota Rajesthani tila, and Indian gold-work. The maudlin memories of the Royal Courts seemed to have re-appeared on the stage due to Kumar's keen dramatic sense of fashion and contemporary urban chic.

Sisters Raima and Riya Sen caused a flurry as they sashayed in Kumar's sensuous low back cholis. Neha Dupia was a portrait of elegance and poise as she modelled Kumar's bridal ensemble.

India's own celebrity models on the slate included Carol Gracious, Jesse Randawa former Miss India 1978 Anna Bredmeyer.

And we haven't turned our focus on the luminaries in the audience, which we must say was also keeping with pomp and glamour of the event. Spotted were Javed Akhtar, Queenie Dhody, VJ Shruti, and Karan Johar to name a few.

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Ruchi Agarwal Content Courtesy ShaadiTimes

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October 16, 2008 in Celebration | Permalink

Is Lying Always Bad?

Is Lying Always Bad?Intimate relationships do demand honesty from both the partners, that may even tear a couple apart.

Is Lying Always Bad? All of us have certain ideas about what is 'right' in life and what is 'wrong'. When it comes to the topic of lying, most of us would probably say that lying is the bad thing to do and speaking the truth is what's right. After all, the truth helps to keep things simple whereas one lie often leads to another, making situations too complex.

However, to borrow a phrase from Oscar Wilde, ''The truth is rarely pure and never simple.''

Does that mean that if the truth is not simple, it is ok to resort to lying? Can there sometimes be a good cause for lying in a relationship? Can relationships actually benefit from lying or do all lies ruin a relationship eventually?

Let's see if we can try and figure out the answers to these questions.

Suchit and Sunita are in a relationship since the past 2 years. When asked if there was place for lying in a relationship, this is what Suchit had to say, ''Sometimes, women can ask us questions to which there are no easy answers. If we told them the outright truth in response to their questions, chances are that they would be extremely hurt. In fact, many times I feel that Sunita is asking me a question to which she probably knows the answer but is silently imploring me to lie to her!''

A classic example of such a questions is, ''How many women have you dated (or been with) before me?''

Now if a man has not really been in a relationship with too many women before his current one, he can tell his woman the truth. However, if he has several notches on his bed-post, then he'd probably not want to tell his girlfriend the truth; not because he wants to lie to her but only because he wants to avoid hurting her.

This is how men rationalize their lying, ''There's nothing to gain from telling the pure truth here. So, if I just told a little white lie so that my woman can be saved some heartache, is that really so bad?''

Frankly, I don't think that is so bad!

But the point here is; who gets to decide that lying in a particular situation is ok as long as your lies are not hurting anyone? Would most women (and even men) want their partners to lie to them to protect them or would they want their partners to be completely honest with them, even if it meant hurting them.

It is never pleasant to think that you may be betrayed by someone you love. All of us want our husbands, wives, or significant others to be honest with us. We all want an open and truthful relationship that is built on trust. However, despite our best intentions, sometimes secrecy and deception can creep into our relationships.

When it comes to certain aspects of a relationship such as being faithful, cheating on your partner, or talking about your real feelings for your partner, we can all say that lying is wrong. However, when it comes to the little white lies that are told to reduce conflict in a relationship or to save someone from unnecessary pain, then is lying acceptable?

The way I see it, intimate relationships do demand honesty from both the partners, but sometimes complete honesty may even tear a couple apart. So, perhaps telling the partial truth is what is needed to make a relationship work. The key lies in finding the correct balance.

Click here to view the Intimacy Special

Ruchi Agarwal Content Courtesy ShaadiTimes

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October 16, 2008 in In Focus | Permalink

JJ VALAYA Fall Winter 2008-2009

JJ VALAYA Fall Winter 2008-2009JJ Valaya is back with the Valaya Fall Winter collection of 2008-2009.

Concerned with incidents of exploitation of its subjects, the Ruler of the Kingdom of Valaya has decided to do away with undue confusion created by alien currencies and has proclaimed, via declaration no. 31 2008, that all further trade in his Kingdom will be carried out only in its newly introduced currency, 'The Valayan Royale'.


It is this spirit, along with the Kingdom's nomadic royal signature that inspires the JJ Valaya Fall Winter collection of 2008-2009. A glorious collection of the finest in womenswear and menswear will herald this new season of luxurious style. A couture line in splendid silks and georgettes, a palate that ranges from ivories to antique jewel tones, craft that remains unrivalled in today's day and age, all come together to create a unique experience in fashion and elegance. From signature Indian silhouettes to lush evening gowns, from regal menswear to the famed Valaya trousseaux, this is a collection that touches the soul.

About the Kingdom of Valaya:
We are the new royalty... a new Indian Raj that is determined to spread its wings globally. Our world, the Royal Kingdom of Valaya, though exalted, remains deeply associated with culture and our nomadic antecedents. Our evolving look therefore is a curious signature, a fusion that has found widespread acceptance amongst various nationalities because of its inspiring balance between our rich past and our elegantly mad, yet glorious future.

We are truly, luxury personified. We are the vision of our Maverick Maharaja. We are indeed, the future of the past.

About JJ Valaya:
One of India's senior most and best known designers, JJ Valaya was born in the princely state of Rajasthan in India but spent most of his childhood traveling to different parts of the country due to his father's various postings in the army. The House of Valaya was founded in 1992 with the launch of its couture label.

Valaya's creative vision regarding elegance and edgy grandeur together with his brother's entrepreneurial abilities have been the key factors for the success of Valaya as a luxury brand. The brand today encompasses Couture, Diffusion, Ready-to-wear, Home and a CSR prerogative, The Valaya Magic Foundation (www.valayamagic.com).

A larger than life approach to luxury fashion & Lifestyle has been a signature of this maverick Maharaja! He believes that true style today is meant for those capable of carrying off both, the whimsical and the bold, and that's precisely the version of sophistication in the Nomadic Royal Valaya woman or man. It is the marriage of the uniqueness of India's craft and tradition with the energy and the ever-changing nature of contemporary fashion that sets the pace for Valaya.

JJ Valaya's success in the fashion industry has been recognized by a number of awards including The Prix d' Incitation at the young designers international competition held by the Concours.

View JJ Valaya's Fall Winter 2008 Collection

Kavita Harlalka Content Courtesy ShaadiTimes

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October 16, 2008 in Fashion | Permalink

Shilpa Shetty Walks For Tarun Tahiliani

Shilpa Shetty Walks For Tarun TahilianiTarun Tahiliani brought the house down with his latest collection recently at India Couture Week in Mumbai.

Couture week in Mumbai is a flurry of activity filled with a cornucopia of colors, brimming with fashion experts, gurus, visionaries, aficionados and just the curious onlookers that love style, finesse and chutzpah! Some of the luminaries at the events included Bollywood actors, industrialists and socialites. The designers on the slate from A to V included Anamika (Khanna) to Verma (Suneet) and Varun Bahl (see box for complete list).

Tarun Tahiliani brought the house down with his latest collection unveiled recently at India Couture Week in Mumbai also hailed as the largest crowd puller of the event. His show was layered with the infamous Khajuraho temples and in true inimitable style he had the audience mesmerized with the mesh of technology (projectors beaming images), avant-garde fashion and raw talent only a distinguished designer could present with élan.

The Tahiliani collection could boast of hues of old, innovation of the future and viable in the present.


The tag-line, "all that we are and more..." were the words beamed amidst a backdrop of larger than life images where "life imitates art and art imitates life". Tarun's brides sashayed down the ramp swishing poise, elegance and definite volume.

According to one time editor of Femina Magazine, Sathya Saran, his was the show-topper of the India Couture Week. The line showcased heavy crystallized Swarovski dresses in multi-layers, drapes and lengths. His grandiose was evident, but not over-powering, as Tahiliani believes a bride's dream is, "Opulent, grand and majestic - and yet contemporary. The line was the perfect fusion of east-west, urban sensibilities and rural charm, day-night chic and haute couture."

For most of us that are not fashion pundits the entire collection was a cut above simply due to Tahiliani's ability to create dream sequences that are actually achievable. The show concluded with Bollywood actress Shilpa Shetty sparkling in a red lehenga studded with crystals filled with zardozi work. Shilpa told the media that, "I feel like a run away bride! I just love the dress."

And she's not the only one... a platoon of Bollywood superstars are "tahilianied" including Ashwariya Rai, Rani Mukherjee, and Ayesha Takia and newcomer Deepika Padukone.

Following the astonishing kudos and acclaim received at India Couture Week Tahliani now shifts focus to his next show scheduled for October 8th in Dubai during Dubai Fashion Week. This will correspond with the launch of retail giant franchise KashMiri which will present and sell Tahiliani's signature line and one developed exclusively in the Gulf Region to his loyalists in the Middle-East.

Designers at India Couture Week
- Anamika Khanna
- Ashish Soni
- J J Valaya
- Manav Gangwani
- Manish Malhotra
- Pallavi Jaikishan
- Ritu Kumar
- Rohit Bal
- Suneet Varma
- Tarun Tahiliani

- Varun Bahl


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Rohini Bhatia-Singh Content Courtesy ShaadiTimes

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October 16, 2008 in Special Feature | Permalink

Deities Should Be Placed In The North

Deities Should Be Placed In The NorthGet your house Vaastu appropriate before it negatively impacts your life.

Satish Sharma Satish Sharma
Globally renowned Astrologer and Vaastu Consultant. 
Have a question? Click here...

Post Nuptial Implication

Question Neha asks,
I am recently engaged. Born on 27th Oct 1984, 05:00 am, Bhatinda (Punjab). I live with my parents in their house. The entrance is in Northeast direction and I sleep with my head in the East. Please advise how my future will be as I sense some problems?
Answer Dear Neha,
An entrance in Northeast direction brings difference of opinion. You should sleep with your head in South and legs in North. Make sure that after marriage you do not occupy a room in Northwest and Southeast. Prefer South and the sleeping posture should be the same. You should chant planet Jupiter for a harmonious married life. There may be some difference of opinion and the rest seems to be O.K. Right now you are running under period of Ketu and sub period of Rahu upto July 2009. After this you will feel better. You should enter your new life with an optimistic approach.

Delay In Marriage

Question Manjula asks,
My name is Manjula. Born on 7th Dec 1975 at 04:00 am, Bagalkot (Karnataka). I have been getting marriage proposals since 1998 but I am being rejected. We are staying in rented house and my main door is from East. I'm searching for a job as well. When will my problem be solved?
Answer Dear Manjula,
A good dasha for marriage has started on 9th Sept 2008. Year 2009 is important when talks regarding your marriage may proceed further and the marriage is likely in the second quarter of 2010. You should chant planet Mars for an early marriage. Sleep in the Northwest corner of your house with head in South and legs in North.

Obstructions In Marriage

Question Bhanu Jain asks,
My name is Bhanu Jain. I was born on 25th Dec 1975 at 11:55 pm, Ambala. I have consulted many astrologers for the reason of delay in marriage. They say that some one in our family has put an obstruction. I have got Sankalps done, have fasted on the days suggested. I am wearing Pukhraj in my left hand in the index finger too. Please tell when will I get married, how and to whom? My house entrance is Northwest.
Answer Dear Bhanu Jain,
September 2009 is important for you. The appropriate dashas for your marriage were not present earlier resulting in a delay. You should not think about any obstruction etc. Chanting planet Jupiter will be helpful.

Different Opinion

Question Kavita asks,
I got married on 23rd Sept 2007. My date of birth is 15th Aug 1976, Faridabad & my husband Vijay's date of birth is 14th Jan 1976, Faridabad. I'm very confused and I don't keep well after marriage. We are always having different opinions, and this leads into fights. How can I get my life to be normal?
Answer Dear Kavita,
You have not given your time of birth so an exact answer astrologically is not possible. You should follow some Vaastu tips for the improvement. Make sure that your bedroom is not in Northwest or Southeast corners. Prefer South direction with head in South and legs in North. You should chant planet Sun in order to keep your temperament cool.

Deity Placement

Question Manoj asks,
I was born on 10th Dec 1978, 06:18 am in Pune. Currently I stay in a flat with the main door in the Southwest corner of the house. We have Hunumanji 's photo on the door. I sleep with head towards South and feet to North. I have been searching for a bride for quite long now but have not been successful in finding the right partner. What should I do?
Answer Dear Manoj,
Your sleeping posture is fine but the main door in Southwest is not considered auspicious. Hanumanji has nothing to do with Southwest corner and the placement of the deity should be in North. As far as your marriage is concerned, the talks may proceed in 2009. The very appropriate time for your marriage is the first quarter of 2010. If you are sure that the main entry is in Southwest, it is better to change the house.

Satish Sharma will answer your queries. Ask now!

Content Courtesy ShaadiTimes

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October 16, 2008 in Expert Advice | Permalink

October 10, 2008

India's Eligible Royals: Nexus of Past and Present

India's Eligible Royals: Nexus of Past and PresentA royal glimpse of the eligible Royals of GenX.

Each era and each country has its nobles. India's historical tapestry weaves an ebullience of grandeur, which has survived through the ages despite political turmoil, economic strife and geographical change.

The mantle of royalty has changed many a hand since the first Indian Royals made claim to land and position in the Indus Valley circa 3000 BC. Yet, the mystique, tradition and culture of India's Raj and royal courts lives on not only in history books, but also in social arts, literature, architecture, and politics.


We continue to be fascinated even today as India's royal progeny come of age. As with royalty worldwide through the different periods Indian royals aren't any different and aren't exempt to gossip, internal clash, disputes, deception and slander.

The GenX Royals have paved their own path oblivious of age-old custom as they make their own place in today's world. These royals have entered numerous fields from politics, entertainment, and fashion. Some have ancestors with lost kingdoms, others with lost thrones. Some have entered industry, and others politics. Some have thrived while others have fought to survive. And with all changes, as the old guard gives way to new, some royalty tarnishes and other shimmers and yet another more luminous sets a new definition for the word "royal" in 2008.

Shaaditimes gives a royal glimpse of the eligible Royals of GenX. Here's a look at the real and reel royals of India today.

Rohini Bhatia-Singh Content Courtesy ShaadiTimes

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October 10, 2008 in Celebrity Talk | Permalink

How To Bluff Your Way As A New Spouse

How To Bluff Your Way As A New SpouseSuccessful marriages work because both spouses let each other bluff to their heart's content.

How To Bluff Your Way As A New Spouse Everyone keeps telling you married life is all about love, happiness and compromise. What's the big deal you think? You've already met his parents and they like you... or at least pretend to like you. Your dad's met him and still living to tell the tale. He's seen you without make up. Or has he?

If you are like most brides, your unsuspecting husband has seen only your best side. He thinks you have beautiful long hair that falls silky straight to your waist. Never mind the blow dryer, straightening iron, TIGI curl control and anti-frizz, hair serum and every other hair product that goes into taming those locks. He thinks you are sugar sweet and never have a bad thing to say about anybody. Never mind the marathon phone conversations with your best friend discussing every minute detail about... his mother! He thinks you cook like a dream and he will be served breakfast in bed for the rest of his life. Never mind your friendly neighbourhood aunty who cooks like a dream and doesn't mind if you take all the credit.

Then again, if you are like most grooms, your rosy-eyed bride has seen only your best side too! She thinks you are oh-so-romantic because you send her flowers everyday. Never mind the fact that you paid the florist for six months worth of flowers in a single go - and it's six months to your wedding day. So post-wedding it's kaput for the flowers. She thinks you are a sensitive metrosexual man because you remember all her nieces and nephews and even her mother's sister's son's birthday. Never mind the fact that your secretary calls and reminds you of every occasion. She thinks you never even look at other women and Liz Hurley is totally overrated. Never mind the adult videos stashed in a corner of your office and your lifelong subscription to Playboy.

It all adds up really. If you think about what it takes to make a marriage work it's all about putting one's best foot forward. If that means hiding all the dirty feet and brushing a few of the really rotten one's under the carpet, then so be it. Another theory is that poker players make the best spouses. After all, they are experts at the game of bluffing.

You can bluff your way too with a little bit of clever manoeuvring. New brides who want to impress with their cooking skills, but don't have any, fret not. The trick is to never cook anything his mother does. Fact of the matter is you can never be as good as she is. So why try? Instead insist on cooking up 'new' dishes and presenting them in your own unique style. That way, even if you mess things up and add a few ingredients that weren't meant to be there nobody will know. So put on your chef's hat and whip up gourmet meals to your hearts delight... not your stomach's delight maybe, but one out of two isn't bad.

New grooms may want to keep up their macho appearances also. If DIY projects really aren't your style and your blushing bride is waiting for you to put together the new dining table, there are two possible ways to bluff your way through this mess. The first can cost you a pretty penny but goes down really well. Tell your bride that you can't be bothered with such mundane tasks and your time is worth far more. Call a professional instead to assemble the required furniture. Quick, easy and expensive. But very effective. The other way is to tell your darling that you want her to be completely independent of you. You think she's capable of doing anything she puts her mind to - and that includes putting together the table. Then pretend to help her out. If your bride is like most women she will figure it out eventually - you can help lift and carry things around and act like you know everything and are just letting her upgrade her skills.

Talking of appearances, that's another thing new brides might have to bluff their way through. So far your besotted husband has only seen your best face. Morning breath is something that only happens to men huh? And you positively glow even without makeup. Of course, he doesn't know about the hour you spend putting on makeup to make it look like you're wearing none. There are two possible ways to deal with this too. The first requires you to wake up really early in the morning. Insist that you are an early riser and wake up before he does. Put on all the required glob on yourself and be prettily mussed when he wakes up. 5 a.m. is a great hour to sneak around. You can rest assured your husband will be in dreamland and you will get at least 2 hours to get into costume. The other one may not go down so well with your husband but is a whole lot less effort for you. Wake up only after he leaves for work. Until then, hide yourself under the covers and insist that early mornings give you migraines and affect your health negatively.

And speaking of ill health, grooms only believe in survival of the fittest. So letting on that you are not as fit as you appear to be is sacrilege. Husbands must always be in the pink of health. Your mother may have thought cooing over you while you moaned and groaned was oh-so-special. It's highly unlikely that your new bride will find her husband hanging with his head in the pot an attractive sight. She expects you to coddle her and be the macho man. So, if you find yourself going yellow or green or any other colour with a nasty bug, insist that it's the latest trend from Versace.

If we are talking of Versace, how can we not mention shopping and new brides? Has your husband seen the credit card statements yet or are you saving that for when he forgets your birthday? That is how all new brides should deal with shopping bills. There is really no point in stressing the poor sod out. Instead, wait till he really goofs up big time - and men being men, he will eventually. Then, bring out the tears and the bills simultaneously. The tears will effectively wash away any tirades that may have happened and the bills will be paid with gratitude that you have given him a chance to redeem himself somehow.

Of course, if new brides can manipulate shopping bills, new husbands are the masters when it comes to hiding financial gaffes. While you are thinking that you have a tidy little sum of money saved up for your annual holiday, he probably has the autographed baseball from the 1935 season finale. And when you find that autographed baseball if you think he will come clean and admit he bought it, think again. He will then be amazed at what a discovery you have made and by selling the ball isn't it great how you two can take the vacation immediately. Whether he actually sells the ball and takes you for a vacation or not is dependent on how much he values his peace - among other things.

So if you really think about it, marriage is all about learning to dance. You waltz into places angels would fear to tread, sidestep issues that are uncomfortable for you and show you in a bad light and simply cha cha your way through life. Along the way if the music stops, pretend you still hear it and continue to dance.

New brides and grooms can pretend to dance to each other's tune while actually pulling the strings of the whole show. Whether you rule the roost or your husband does, whether you wear the pants or your wife does, whether you are the man or he is - it all adds up to the same thing. You both want to rule, you both have no clue what the other is thinking or doing and you both are too busy bluffing your way through marriage. The great part of course is that all successful marriages work because both spouses let each other bluff to their heart's content.

You say one thing, you mean another. He listens to something and hears another. It's what makes marriage so beautiful. The ability to coexist without really ever understanding what the other is saying. After all men are from Mars and women are from Venus. The two shall never speak the same language - and yet, who needs words to communicate?

Kavita Harlalka Content Courtesy ShaadiTimes

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October 10, 2008 in In Focus | Permalink

Anna Singh's Store Launch - A Night Of 'Stars' And Crystals

Anna Singh's Store LaunchWas it a launch or a movie awards night.View pics.

Was it a launch or a movie awards night, one wouldn't have known the difference. The launch of Anna Singh's first boutique in Bandra on Friday night saw the créme de la créme of Bollywood walk into the store to congratulate Anna and make it a night for her to remember. The theme seemingly being red, Anna and her staff were in glamorous attires welcoming the guests warmly.

Ayesha Shroff and Farah Khan (who had lent their creative inputs into the décor of the store) gave Anna a helping hand. Kajol did the honour of launching the store and was accompanied by sister Tanisha. Unfortunately the duo left within a short while owing to Kajol's ill health.

The shutterbugs did not stop snapping till midnight with a host of celebrities walking into the store soon after. Some of them being Karan Johar, Arpita Khan, Chunky Pandey, Sophie Choudhary, Zarine Khan, Suzanne Roshan, Queenie Dhodie, Kim Sharma, Preeti Jhangiani, Azharuddin and Sangeeta Bijlani, Chayaa Mommaya, Achla Sachdev, Vikram Chatwal, Sonu Sood, Poonam Dhillon, Rajeshwari Sachdev, Ashish Chowdhary (minus wife Samita), Boman Irani with wife, Neelam, Ketan Mehta, a less seen Sooraj Bharjatiya also walked in with family, Divya Khosla Kumar, Kehkashan and a lot more.

But what made the night was the unexpected entry of Aishwarya Rai Bachchan. Stormed by the media, she managed to check out the store swiftly and give them a byte or two and left early apparently to catch a flight. Gauri Khan too entered for a short while.

Anna Singh's store consists of stunning signature print dresses, Swarovski encrusted clutches, belts, jewellery and indo-western tops along with a funky menswear line that is one of a kind - all under the same roof! Not only is the store solely owned by Anna but she has also designed the store along with Ayesha Shroff with invaluable inputs from Zarine Khan, Suzanne Roshan and candles by Dimple Kapadia!

Most certainly worth a visit!

View Pics Of Celebs At The Launch

Content Courtesy ShaadiTimes

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October 10, 2008 in Fashion | Permalink

Can Relationships Really Flourish On Bigg Boss?

Payal RohatgiWhat do you think?

Payal Rohatgi
Season 1 of Bigg Boss saw a tender relationship emerge between Aryan Vaid and Anupama Verma. As soon as the two were thrown out of the house, the relationship went kaput as well. From post-show appearances one got the impression that Anupama may have actually been somewhat serious whereas Aryan was simply being... Aryan!

Bigg Boss 2 started with a bang with Rahul Mahajan and Payal Rohatgi in an oh-so-obvious amorous relationship. Monica Bedi made up the triangle and all the audience was agog about who Rahul would pick. Out goes Monica. In stays Payal. Raja is added to the cauldron to ensure viewer-ship and TRPs stay peaked.

Frankly speaking, one has to wonder how much of Bigg Boss is reality and how much of it is staged? Are all the residents handed scripts and characters before the show? Or do they get weekly instructions on the roles they are to play for the next 7 days? Or is it all real?

If one goes with the reality TV theory and accepts it is indeed all real, then one must wonder - Can two people actually fall in love on national television with a live audience of millions?

Taking Payal and Rahul as a case in point.

  • Firstly the two seem to know each other prior to the show and if rumour has it, were in fact involved for the past 6-7 years!
  • Secondly, Payal is so obviously playing for the camera and interested in only furthering her own non-existent career, she cannot possibly be 'emotionally' connected with anyone other than the camera.
  • Thirdly, Rahul seems to be more than happy to flirt with everything else in a skirt - Monica, Sambhavna and Diana included. Ketaki Dave got lucky I guess - she escaped early in the game! Nothing like a guy looking for a relationship with one specific person I'd say...
  • Fourthly, isn't it so obvious that the two are performing?

If one is to discount the games Rahul and Payal are playing, the question still stands - Can two people fall in love with an audience of a million?

I personally believe not. Shows like Bigg Boss, which monitor every move an individual makes by default change how the participants behave. How can one be oneself knowing someone is watching you - all the time!

What do you think?

Kavita Harlalka Content Courtesy ShaadiTimes

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October 10, 2008 in Special Feature | Permalink

How Much Alimony Am I Entitled To?

How Much Alimony Am I Entitled To?Alimony is decided based on the spouse's capacity to pay as well as several other factors.

Siddhartha Shah Siddhartha Shah
A practicing advocate of Mumbai High Court. He specialises in Civil, Criminal, International and Matrimonial Laws. He opines on Indian Laws and the Legal System. 
Have a question? Click here...

Marriage Compliances

Question Sindhu asks,
I got married 15 years back. I didn't get my marriage registered then but now I need the certificate for getting visa. My problem is I don't have residential proof before marriage since my parents have shifted their base to another city 6 years back. What is the other alternative to get the certificate?
Answer Dear Sindhu,
As per the limited facts narrated by you, you can get your marriage registered in the jurisdiction of the place where you are presently residing. You may approach the office of the registrar of marriages and initiate your registration process. You are required to file appropriate Affidavits stating your mode and place of marriage and then by submitting the required documents for the purpose of getting your marriage registered. Hope this suffices your query in brief.

Child Custody

Question Mohammad asks,
I don't want to divorce my wife who is from a different religion but she is insisting on the divorce. Actually we have a son and I want to get him back. Then only I will give her divorce. I want to raise him as Muslim. Can I get custody even if we divorce? He is 4 years old.
Answer Dear Mohammad,
As per your query and the limited facts narrated by you, you will have to move to the matrimonial court for seeking the custody of your child. Since your child is 4 years old, in most of the cases the mother is given the custody of the child as per your personal law, but if you have valid grounds to prove that you want to retain your marriage and have the custody of the child, the court may after ascertaining the true facts and after hearing both the parties grant the order accordingly. Please note that you will have to invoke legal process accordingly, you may consult an expert matrimonial lawyer for further appropriate compliances. Hope this should suffice your query in brief.

Mama's Boy

Question Maria Ferreira asks,
I am a Catholic married to a Parsi since 3 years. We got married in the court as well as in the church. But ever since we are married, our married life has been hell. I have been facing various issues with my partner. Firstly, his mentally retarded mother, who makes a complete mess of the house till we return home every evening. She uses abusive language, which one cannot bear. There is no privacy at all. And this doesn't make a difference to my husband. My problem is that I cannot prove it officially. He is taking advantage of that. Thirdly he doesn't support me financially in the house. I take care of my personal, medical and other expenditure. He loves his mother overtly and completely neglects me. I am sick and tired of this behavior. I do not want to stay with his mentally retarded mother. He forcefully claims that I should be nursing her. We have even opted for divorce; our case is still lying unfinished in the court. I cannot prove myself married because our marriage certificate is lying in the court. We had mutually agreed for the divorce and that's how I did not demand for alimony. But now I have resigned from my job due to medical problem. My husband is using me as a keep, a domestic item in the house. I need your guidance to move ahead in life.
Answer Dear Maria Ferreira,
As per your query and the facts narrated by you, presuming that your divorce is filed by mutual consent and is pending in the court of law, you can still ask for maintenance and alimony from your spouse, since you are having some medical problem and if he agrees to give you the alimony then you can talk to your lawyer and modify the consent terms filed with consent Petition in the court. In case your husband refuses to give you alimony and maintenance as required by you for your medical reasons etc., you have an option to withdraw your consent in the pending consent Petition filed by you or you may file a fresh Petition seeking maintenance form your husband. You must contact an expert matrimonial lawyer regards your further compliances. Hope this suffices your query in brief.

How Much Alimony Am I Entitled To?

Question Siri asks,
I got married in 2007. Soon after I joined in-laws family they started harassing me for dowry and gold ornaments. And my marriage has not been consummated even after one year. I thought this is because of their demands. But ultimately I came to know that my husband is impotent - to hide this they have played various games. But when I asked about this he sent me to my parent's house permanently and threatened my life if I come back again and join him and reveal this information to any one. He told me to go for a divorce from my side and said he does not wish to waste his money to pay for lawyer fee and court fee. I have applied for divorce in the court. I am jobless and do not have any property. I am depending on my parents. Do I get any permanent alimony from my husband through court? If yes, how much do I get and how much can I claim? My husband is working in Software Company as a senior executive with good salary i.e. more than one lakh per month and has 30 lakhs worth property. Please advise how do I live rest of my life? Do I get permanent alimony from him?
Answer Dear Siri,
As per your query and the facts narrated by you, you can definitely get permanent alimony from your husband for which you have to make appropriate applications to the Matrimonial court. You will have to initiate civil process for seeking appropriate reliefs and petition to the court for appropriate maintenance and alimony. You will have to cast a detailed petition and give in the details of your spouse's job, his income and his capacity to pay, his lifestyle, the description of his property he owns before the Hon'ble court and only after perusing the said applications and contentions of both the parties, the Hon'ble court shall be able to ascertain the quantum of alimony to be granted to you. You must contact an expert matrimonial lawyer regards your further compliances. Hope this suffices your query in brief.

Khula

Question Divs asks,
My friend has got married under the Muslim Marriage Act and Civil Marriage Act. Now he needs to get divorced after 4 years of marriage as he and his wife are staying separately for last 4 years. If they get divorced under the Muslim Marriage Act does the Civil Marriage gets dissolved automatically? Can you please suggest the right procedure for them to get divorced with mutual consent?
Answer Dear Divs,
As per the limited facts narrated by you, your friend and his wife can get divorced under their personal law by mutual consent by entering into the deed of consent divorce by Mubaraat or by Khula. Kindly note that the said divorce will have to be declared by the Family court. Kindly note that from the legal point of view and for any legal compliance your friend will have to approach the Court to seek appropriate Court order for appropriate declarations if they divorce by mutual consent. Your friend must contact an expert matrimonial lawyer regards your further compliances. Hope this suffices your query in brief.

Siddhartha Shah will answer your queries. Ask now!

Content Courtesy ShaadiTimes

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October 10, 2008 in Expert Advice | Permalink

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