DLD‰‰†‰KDLD‰‰†‰DLD‰‰†‰MDLD‰‰†‰C Any witch way, Delhi fashions THE TIMES OF INDIA Kidman has a an evening to Saturday, January 4, 2003 nose for acting remember... Page 6 Page 3 OF INDIA MANOJ KESHARWANI DELHI SCALES A NEW HIGH ARUN KUMAR DAS favour. Apart from opening Times News Network additional outlets, we have made our shops more user-fri- whopping Rs 11.8 crore. This is endly.The overall ambience of the approximate volume of bus- our outlets, the deployment of Ainess transacted by 266 liquor trained staff in uniform and shops, 162 restaurants, 48 hotels and the self-help scheme for custo- 39 clubs in the Capital on December mers have contributed to the bo- 31, 2002. This, despite the date with ost in sales.’’ New Year’s eve being a Tuesday —a Incidentally,DSIDC spokespe- dry day for many belonging to the rson J Bakshi maintains that Bacchus-buff fraternity. had December 31 not been a Tu- Going hic-hic-hurray is the exc- esday,sales would have been ev- ise department of the city sarkar. en higher. ‘‘Nevertheless, we And not without reason. ‘‘Altho- have registered a 20 per cent in- ugh we are still in the process of crease in sales over 2001,’’ he ascertaining the exact sales fi- elaborates, ‘‘The rise in sales fi- gures and the net revenue ear- gures can be attributed to the ned by the government, estim- availability of a wide choice of ates put the liquor sales on NEELABH liquor brands at our outlets.’’ December 31 at around Rs 2.5 Also contributing to Dece- crore more than the correspo- mber 31, 2002 going one up on nding figure in 2001,’’ informs its predecessor is the rise in a senior official of the excise population of government- department. SPIRITED SALES run liquor vends and restaur- As for a break-up of the boo- ants with a bar licence. ‘‘Whi- ze business on December 31, Delhi’s liquor market le 122 restaurants in the city the DTTDC, with 123 shops ac- were equipped with bar licen- ross the city, sold around Rs did business worth a ces in 2001, the number rose 2.52 crore worth of liquor on record Rs 11.8 crore to 162 in 2002,’’ says the excise the big day and the DSIDC, wi- official, ‘‘This has pushed up th 83 outlets in the Capital, did on December 31, 2002 liquor sales appreciably.’’ business worth Rs 1.54 crore. All in all, there’s no peggi- According to Rajeev Talwar, MD of the DTT- ng down the high spirits of those in the booze DC, which had transacted booze business wor- business. After all, unlike the taste buds, mon- IN FOCUS: Delhi Times freeze frames the great expectations of Ashvin Kumar as the debutant director sets his sights on the screening th Rs 2.13 crore on December 31, 2001, ‘‘This ti- ey offers the best kick to the pocket! of his first film, Road To Ladakh, at Habitat World on January 6 (To send this photograph to a friend, log on to www.timescity.com/delhi/) me round, a number of factors worked in our [email protected] Ashvin steps on the Road To Ladakh Douglas James: Bond another way AFSANA AHMED ‘‘He said the similarity was sc- he was a child. ‘‘I have high en- DIVYA VASISHT stammered and could never no looking back since then. in the wheel, direction is abo- lished something to be proud Times News Network ary. He wanted to listen to my ergy levels and this is how I Times News Network really mingle with people. Moving from one profession- ut defining the dimensions of of.’’ While Road To Ladakh is voice to know if I also sounded got into this line.’’ Then, I heard of this theatre al theatre school to another, the wheel,’’ reasons Ashvin, set to be screened at Habitat he name is James. Dou- like him. And when I met his Recently, Whoopi Goldberg reativity is in his genes. group, which had come down Ashvin arrived at the London an ardent movie-buff who, al- World, in collaboration with Tglas James. The man son, Sean Brosnan, he looked presented James with the ‘Mr CThe united colours of fa- from London to organise a School of Film, where he is though he normally views at Habitat Film Club and the Br- who plays Pierce Brosnan’s Hot Property Reel’ award, in brics in all their diversity we- workshop. I joined the work- currently a final-year student least 14 films per week, hasn’t itish Council, on January 6, double in Bond movies was ALMOST FAMOUS recognition of his talent. Pe- re his childhood companions. shop and — to my surprise — and has directed and produc- watched a single movie in the Ashvin sees his short film as in the country recent- ople often mistake him Now, Ashvin Kumar, the 29- was chosen to play Oliver past six months. Yes, he the stepping stone to a long ly to bond with 007 fa- for the real Bond and year-old elder son of designer in a stage production ba- DIRECTORIAL DEBUT was busy with the mak- road which lies ahead. ns. And, by the look of James enjoys this rec- Ritu Kumar, has moved beyo- sed on Oliver Twist,’’ rec- ing of Road To Ladakh, ‘‘I will take my film to festi- things, the passage to ognition — including nd the umbilical cord to make alls Ashvin, ‘‘The moment I ed several short films, notab- for which he is the writer, vals abroad,” he says, “I want India has left the Bros- featuring in Brosnan’s his mark as a director with stepped on stage, all my fears ly First Day Out, 2 Minutes director, producer and editor. the international market to nan lookalike stirred. biography — every bit. Road To Ladakh. disappeared. Not only did I and Sam, as part of a project. “Although shooting took up notice my work.’’ Ashvin Ku- ‘‘India is so exotic... But though they res- Ironically, it was destiny manage to overcome my sta- But for a man who loves do- only 16 days, just about every- mar reaches for the sky — but it’s kind of like James emble each other,Jam- more than design which help- mmer, I found out what I was nning the grease-paint, is di- thing went wrong while we then, he always has the big pi- Bond — the more you es wants to make sure ed Ashvin recognise his true meant to do in life.’’ rection over acting the right were at it. Yet, we have survi- cture in mind. explore it, the more in- that there is no case of calling. ‘‘Till my early teens, I There has certainly been choice? ‘‘If acting is like a cog ved the obstacles and accomp- [email protected] viting and enchanting mistaken identity. ‘‘I it becomes,’’ says Jam- am what I am, and Br- es. By the way,apart fr- osnan is what he is. It’s om playing Brosnan’s all destiny,’’ says Jam- double in films, James es, ‘‘Tomorrow,if thin- Quiet flows Priyanshu is also open to acting PRASHANT NAKWE gs turn around, I mig- Want Want a a clone? clone? in Hindi films! at me and said: It’s spooky,you ht actually ask Brosnan to be Interestingly, when James resemble him so much!’’ my double!’’ Yes, James — Do- VINOD NAIR hi is Delhi and memories are Once upon a time, it might have sounded like a mid-winter night’s dream, but now that the cloning Times News Network memories. ‘‘I miss roaming ar- met the real Bond for the first Though James aspired to be uglas James, if you please — ound the Basant Lok market, of humans (think Eve) is possible, one doesn’t have to board the Time Machine to find a carbon time, his uncanny resemblan- a pilot, he reveals that he has has a licence to thrill. irst, the missing list. No st- eating out, the Capital’s wide copy of oneself.Delhi Times asks celebs about their reaction to having a made-to-order double ce really surprised Brosnan. been an entertainer ever since [email protected] Farry airs, no self-ego trips. roads.’’ Not surprisingly,all ro- ● RUBY BHATIA (Anchor): A cl- ne would do, though, is personal! Refreshingly different is how ads lead to Delhi for Priyanshu one? Wow! Actually, I would like ● ARYAN VAID(Model): Being Priyanshu Chatterjee comes when he gets a break from his not one, but four clones — the first cloned would appeal to my vani- across. Yes, he is, perhaps, a lit- Bollywood assignments. to go to work on days when I’m not ty no doubt, but on second thou- tle hesitant, a little unsure. But Talking of assignments, po- feeling up to it; the second to beat ghts (no pun intended), it would the world is throwing open to st-Tum Bin, he features in Pin- up my enemies; the third to st- be two much of a good thing! this model-turned-actor the do- jar and Aapko Pehle Kahin De- ay with my Mom and Dad in And then, can perfection be ors to a car- kha Hai and Canada and play the good replicated perfectly? If I eer which he BUDDING BIGGIE put in a brief daughter; and the four- owned a clone of my- th to get married and self, it would be fun. For have kids! As long as all of starters, I could star in a them report to me, it will double-role movie at half be just great! When can the cost! you deliver? ● MONISHA BAJAJ ● ANUPAM KHER (Ac- (Designer): Another tor): A clone can never Monisha Bajaj? I perso- ever be the original.