Archives: '05 Issue 02

Verve's London correspondent, Verve, dines out at the city's finest Indian restaurants, has a word with the owner-chefs and recommends some mouth-watering delicacies

Gleefully trumpeted as the English Riviera, Cornwall counts Pierce Brosnan and Prince Charles among its repeat guests. And soon, probably Camilla Parker Bowles, its new duchess. Verve drinks in the panoramic gardens, wind-washed beaches and bustling seafood eateries, on this southern strip of seaside chic

The reclusive film-maker who has moved into the spotlight with his latest box-office offering, the critically acclaimed Black, is known to explore his private anguish in his silver screen extravaganzas. Verve meets the maverick Sanjay Leela Bhansali, to discover his muse and delve into the innermost recesses of his mind

Konkona Sensharma has an immaculate pedigree…and she polishes it to a blinding shine with formidable talent. Daughter of the critically acclaimed actor-director, Aparna Sen, the actress won a National Award, when she was barely into her 20s. And with each celluloid appearance she has raised the bar. Verve catches up with the multilingual artiste, who continues to steal the limelight with her recent bravura acts in the little big films, Amu and Page 3

The free-spirited and nonconformist entrant to Bollywood is the twinkle-toed offspring of trendsetting dancer, Daksha Sheth and musician, Devissaro. In an animated encounter with the newly-minted actress, Verve discovers that there is more to 20-year-old Isha Sharvani than the great Indian rope trick that she performed with such aplomb in the box-office bomb, Kisna

His is hardly one of those spectacular, overnight success stories taking the lead in entertainment news splashes. But Ashutosh Gowariker's steady passion for intelligent cinema has held the world's attention following Lagaan and now, Swades. In a candid conversation with Verve, the former actor and self-confessed movie junkie, who retrospectively feels he "would not have been anywhere except behind the camera, however tempting the choice", reveals a passionately honest stand on movie making, notions of nationalism at the core of his new film and explains why he thinks Indian audiences rock

Preity Zinta has, over the years, famously carved for herself a little niche in an industry that is quite obviously now experiencing puberty, what with all its sexual innuendoes and 'kissing-scene' sensations. She is the Cute Girl Next Door who does not intimidate or titillate but only entertains. Verve engages in banter with the lollypop sweetheart of India