Blessed Beauty Scarlett Johansson,s Fresh Interview

Blessed with beauty, stardom and money, Scarlett Johansson surely rules many hearts with her superb looks. Here, Scarlett reveals how she manages to look so good, as well as how she feels about being described as one of the most beautiful women in Hollywood.


You’re looking great as always – how do you keep in shape?
I workout regularly. I use my own strength. I lift weights, I do yoga, pilates, those type of exercises, you know. I work out a few days a week, eat healthy, get plenty of sleep and try to keep in shape that way.

What are your beauty tips?
I don’t necessarily have a beauty routine but I do try and drink a lot of water – lots and lots of water. That’s something my mom always told me to do, especially while travelling.

How do you relax after a hard day?
After a long day at work, I really like to cook. I actually find cooking dinner a really nice routine, especially after working, it makes me feel sort of normal again. There is something nice about the routine. Often when you’re working, you’re travelling around a lot and you feel kind of disconnected – so I find having a routine like coming home and cooking dinner every day sort of makes me feel more at home.

How does it feel to be regarded as an icon and a role model?
I always thought you reached icon status after you left this world. I never signed up to be a role model as such. Of course, ever since I was a little girl I had an idea of what I wanted to do – which was to pursue my dream of being a successful actor. If that makes me a role model for people to look up to, then I suppose I am flattered by it. So it’s important to keep your head straight and focus on your goal.

How do you feel when people call you the sexiest woman in the world?
I don’t know. There are so many beautiful women out there.

You wear a lot of gorgeous gowns, but what three essential pieces of clothing could you not live without?
Probably a pair of high-waisted black trousers, a grey cardigan and a really soft T-shirt.

So tell us, what does a Hollywood superstar always carry in her handbag?
Other than my mobile phone and my wallet, I always have a lot of moisturiser in my handbag and I keep lots of different kinds of chap sticks, lip glosses and lip balms too. I always have a lot of lip products in my bag.

How would you describe your style?
I think my style is sort of a New York sense of style. Practical, casual, but well-tailored. And I have a lot of dark colours in my wardrobe, a lot of grey and black. I would say that I’m most comfortable in jeans and a cardigan, but at the same time I like to dress up sometimes too. Obviously I go to a lot of events, so I’ve learned to feel comfortable in a pair of four inch heels too!

Who’s your style icon?
Well, I’d say my day-to-day style icon is Marlene Dietrich. I love that kind of masculine tailoring for women and I’m a big fan of the suits and trousers with blouses look. I love her style.

You are constantly travelling. What’s your favourite destination?
I love to be in London. I work there a lot and I have a lot of friends there, so it’s a bit like a second home to me. And also Rome. I love Rome for holidays.

Priyanka Flying High!

From being selected for the prestigious National Opus Honour Choir (at the US state level), to winning the ‘Miss India’ and ‘Miss World’ crowns, and now getting into a vocation that she never imagined she would be in some day… acting, destiny has played a big hand in shaping Priyanka’s life. But it is also through sheer hard work and dedication that she has converted these opportunities into success. Here are excerpts of an interview she gave to an international magazine:


I am Priyanka Chopra and positivity is my middle name, and this reflects in everything I do.
I give complete credit for this to my parents who made sure I had a wonderful childhood.
I was born in Jamshedpur. Both my parents are doctors - my dad, Captain Dr Ashok Chopra, was a commissioned officer and surgeon in the Indian Army Medical Corps and my mum, Dr Madhu, is a noted gynaecologist and cosmetologist. I also have a brother Sidharth, who is seven years younger to me.
Our entire family and extended family are very closely knit and there is always a lot of love, laughter and joy whenever we are together. As a kid, I led a very carefree and happy life. I enjoyed every moment of being a child.
We were army-ites and I remember moving from state to state every two years - each time my dad got transferred.
Constantly moving also meant that I kept changing schools. I studied in some of the best schools across India, did my 10th grade from Newton’s Newton North High School in Boston.
I was academically inclined and topped my class most of the time. I was especially good in English and extra-curricular activities. In USA, I was selected at the state level for the National Opus Honour Choir, which is indeed a major feat.
Acting, stardom and Bollywood were alien terms for me, as nobody in my family has ever been a part of the film industry.
It all started with the Miss India contest. I was very young then - just 17! My mom sent my photographs for the contest without my knowledge. But when I got a call from them that I was short-listed, I came to Mumbai. The competition was tough but I thrive best when I am pushed to the edge. I won the ‘Miss India’ title!
For quite some time, I used to sleep with my crown because I was scared someone would rob it.
After that, films happened. I tasted success early - with ‘Andaaz’ and ‘Mujhse Shaadi Karogi’, which was one of the biggest grosser of the year. The turning point in my film career happened with ‘Aitraaz’, in which I played a negative role.
I’ve never had any problems with any of my co-stars and as long as I’m comfortable with my role, I’m happy!
Currently, I am doing Ashutosh Gowarikar’s What’s Your Raashee?’, Yash Raj’s ‘Pyaar Impossible’ and Vishal Bhardwaj’s ‘Kaminey’ with Shahid Kapur.
I agree rumours, controversies and gossip are part ‘n’ parcel of an actor’s life. Day in and day out, according to the media, we are either having catfights with other heroines or being linked with somebody -sometimes with people we have not even met. I guess this is an occupational hazard. But I am not prepared for it and I’ll never be prepared. So what if I am an actress? I am a girl and I am answerable to my parents too. I have made it my principle to never talk about my personal life.
What I do want to talk about are some of the social causes I support, like education of the girl child.
It is imperative that the girl child is encouraged and nurtured. The true sign of progress is when the girl child flourishes.
Another cause that is very close to my heart is the need to give masses proper medical information. My dad was very ill and we really felt the need for such information. We need to spread awareness so that more people are helped…
Life shows you so many amazing experiences - some good, some bad. But I love being me and I would never want to be anybody else, ever! On the downside, I’m just an over emotional fool. But besides this, I am fine!

OF BEAUTY, Fame & Stardom

Katrina Kaif feels that while Namaste London was a turning point in her Bollywood career, New York launched her as an actress in her own right. In this interview, Katrina talks about her forthcoming film, Rajniti and why she considers India her home.


Do you consider yourself a foreigner or an Indian?

I am hundred per cent Indian. When I was growing up, I always felt a very strong awareness that I am an Asian.
It’s almost an Asian country now.
Now it is. But that sense of belonging was always missing when I was growing up. When I came to India, I felt an instant sense of belonging. My uncle was here, I had a bit of family in Bangalore. I came here with my older sister and I only had Rs 4 lakhs. I told myself that if I can make it with this money, I will stay here. If not, I will go back to London and rejoin college. I was only 17 at that time and was modelling. I bought a small apartment near a cemetery. I fear living alone and fear darkness, so I would stay up all night and wait for the sun to come up and then I would go to bed at five o’ clock in the morning and sleep for five hours.
I did my first photo shoot with photographer Farooq. I received good feedback. I took my portfolio and went from one agency to another. I would go there and say, ‘can I meet your casting director’. I showed them my pictures. Soon the casting agents started calling me.

Tell us about yourself, pre-stardom.
I was born in Hong Kong. My mom was a Harvard graduate, a very successful lawyer who gave it up to join a charitable organisation. She was working with the organisation as a non-profit lawyer and because of that, we travelled a lot. From Hong Kong, we went to Japan, China, France, Hawaii and then to London.
The Indian part of you comes from your father.
Yes. My parents separated when we were very young. We were raised by my mother who did a wonderful job. She raised us with the belief and inspiration to find yourself in the world. Live your dreams and find what is going to make you live life freely.
She made us tough. I have one brother. He is a professional skier and a rock climber.

What about your father?
We have grown up without a father. I missed it a great deal. I do feel that sense of loss.

You haven’t been in touch with him?
No. When I see my friends who have wonderful fathers, who are like pillars of support for their families, I think, if only I had that. But instead of complaining, I should be grateful for all the other things I have.

He hasn’t tried to get in touch with you after you became a star.
No, he is not that kind of a man. He is very decent and comes from a good family and they went their own ways because of issues which are personal. He is an affluent person, so he is not going to come back because his daughter is now famous.
How and when did you meet Salman Khan?
We met through his sister at a party. I had always said that I would never get into details about these personal things. You waste a part of your life answering, denying or clarifying things that don’t matter or are just speculations. I am a sensitive person and do not like to participate in these kinds of debates. He has been a wonderful person for the last six years. For me, he has been a great teacher and a great guide. He has seen me grow up in the last six years. At times, he would say that you are changing. And I say, I am changing because I am growing. He says, “Be careful, don’t change into something that is not good.”
When did the big break come?
I don’t think I’ve had that big break. For me it was ‘Oh Katrina looks nice here’ or ‘That’s a nice ad’ or ‘That’s an okay song’ or ‘That’s a nice movie’. It was all gradual, step-by-step.
May be it happened a little bit with Singh Is Kinng?
Before that there was Namastey London where, for the first time, I had a dominating role and Akshay Kumar allowed me to do that at a stage when not many people believed in me. That was a turning-point in my career. After Namastey London, there was Race, where people said, she does this kind of dancing well. Then there was Singh Is Kinng and now New York.

You are working in Prakash Jha’s upcoming flick, Rajniti. Is it a serious role?
That film has a lot of potential and to me it looks like a great film. I can’t explain in words how excited I am about it.
Prakash Jha thinks that I suit the role of a politician. He says I will bust the myth that I can’t speak Hindi.

Do you think it is the film that will launch you as an actor in your own right?
I think with New York, I have got that to a large extent.