MUMBAI: One could safely give him credit for changing the way the world looked at Indian filmmakers, in our time.He did this with his 1998 film Elizabeth, which garnered an impressive seven Academy Award nominations. In 2007, Elizabeth: The Golden Age notched up two more. This, apart from the many accolades both films collected at other prestigious award ceremonies worldwide.

In recent years, much has been written about Shekhar Kapur?s talent in the world?s press. In India, however, he has enjoyed success for a far longer period. It all began with the critically acclaimed Masoom in 1983. Then came Mr India, which wowed children and adults alike, and continues to impress new generations of viewers. Kapur followed this with the hard-hitting Bandit Queen, based on the life of dacoit Phoolan Devi, which won him two Filmfare Awards.

Where does Shekhar Kapur get his passion for film? How does he gain inspiration from his colourful, imaginary world? Where and how did his ambitious story begin? The filmmaker answers these and other queries from host Kabir Bedi on Director?s Cut this Sunday, April 13, 2008 at 8:00 pm. Only on Zoom, India?s premier glamour and entertainment channel.

In the course of the conversation, Kapur reveals not just tricks related to successful filmmaking, but also shares his secret of creativity. He answers all kinds of questions - like why he enjoys making Hollywood films, for instance, and what the pros and cons of filmmaking in Bollywood are. He also shares special childhood memories, like his first meeting with legendary actress Madhubala, and how he used to create stories for the entertainment of friends in school.

He also opens up about his relationship with his father, discusses the turmoil in his personal life, and speaks about the journey from Masoom to the controversial Bandit Queen. Revealing his passion for filmmaking, he says, "I would disconnect the monitors of producers, or make them sit far away under the hot sun, so there would be no interference." He compares making films in India to a trip to Mumbai?s Chor Bazaar - because of the adventure and negotiation it involves. The director doesn?t forget to mention his evergreen uncle Dev Anand, and his never-say-die attitude to life.

MUMBAI: Dr. Ganesh Natarajan, Deputy Chairman and Managing Director of Zensar has taken over as Chairman of National Association of Software and Service Companies, the premier trade body representing the Indian IT-BPO industry, for the year 2008-09 while Mr Pramod Bhasin, President and Chief Executive Officer of Genpact has been elected as Vice Chairman..

Announcing this, NASSCOM President Som Mittal said, ?Dr Ganesh Natarajan has been associated with NASSCOM for a number of years and has helped in setting up a several initiatives focused on Innovation, as well as for the small and medium enterprises. Mr. Pramod Bhasin has been leading our BPO Forum and, we believe, with his vast experience he will add immense value to the entire industry which will bring a sharper focus on the BPO segment.?

Natarajan said "Creativity, community and collaboration would help sustain the growth momentum of the industry. The inherent creativity of this industry‘s people can be translated into commercial innovations to keep our leadership position intact and unleashing the power of community within and across industry segments will ensure that we remain buoyant in all market segments and geographies".

Bhasin said, ?I will be focusing on leading the Indian BPO and IT industry globally and focusing on key initiatives such as education and security that are crucial for growth of the industry in the years to come?.

NASSCOM presently has around 1200 members, of which over 200 are global companies from the US , UK , EU, Japan , China and other countries.

BANGALORE: TThe world‘s most successful, up-market men‘s magazine, GQ, will launch an Indian edition later this year, said Jonathan Newhouse, Chairman of Cond? Nast International. GQ India will be the second Cond? Nast title in the country, following the overwhelming success of Vogue, launched last September.

"Indian Vogue rapidly dominated the women‘s magazine market, far surpassing expectations in both circulation and advertising. It has given us the confidence to start a second title, and GQ is the logical choice" said Nicholas Coleridge, Vice President of Cond? Nast International.

GQ‘s entry both coincides with and reflects the red-hot expansion of the luxury market catering to Indian men ­who are earning and spending like never before, driving consumption in Asia‘s third largest economy. Sensing the immense opportunities and latent aspirations, a slew of luxury fashion and global lifestyle brands have entered the fray, and GQ, with its historic understanding of this market, is the perfect vehicle for upscale brands to partner with.

First published in the USA in 1957, GQ has led the men‘s lifestyle magazine market for 50 years. Urbane, upscale, occasionally irreverent and always stylish, GQ has kept men of taste and affluence around the world up to date on the best in fashion and grooming, celebrity, sports, travel and motoring. It is known for the highest standards in feature writing and photography, winning awards the world over. And its status as a byword for men‘s style is unparalleled. With a combination of Indian and international content, GQ India will help the discerning Indian male discover and develop his sense of style and individuality.

Alex Kuruvilla, Managing Director of Cond? Nast India said, "There is a huge vacuum in the men‘s luxury magazine space: we have been inundated by requests from advertisers and readers to launch GQ in India. Like its international counterparts, GQ India will be stylish, opinionated and celebrate the finest journalism India has to offer."

Sanjiv Bhattacharya has been appointed Editor of GQ India. Raised in the UK, Sanjiv has written extensively for British GQ, where he served first as features and then contributing editor. Having spent the last 8 years in Los Angeles, his print work has been widely read both in the UK and the USA in titles like Details, the Los Angeles Times, Marie Claire, the Daily Telegraph and the Observer among others. Prior to joining GQ, Sanjiv recently completed a book for Simon & Schuster and presented an investigative documentary for Channel Four in the UK.

Brendan Allthorpe has been appointed Art Director of GQ India. Having worked in publishing since 1995 in Australia and the UK, Brendan has had extensive experience in the men‘s market. He was formerly the Art Director of GQ Russia which was rewarded with the highest circulated figures since its launch, during his tenure.

Che Kurrien has been appointed Senior Editor of GQ India. He comes from Reuters where he was a correspondent and before that at Time Out Mumbai as Assistant Editor and Indian Express as Staff writer. Che has a post-graduate degree in journalism from New York University.

Iain Ball has been appointed Features Editor of GQ India. Iain has worked as Chief Copy Editor Vogue India and previously as Consulting Editor to TimeOut Delhi, Assistant Editor to Time Out Mumbai, and Copy Editor / staff writer to the Indian Express.

GQ India is one of the many magazine launches planned by Cond? Nast International for 2008. The others, previously announced, include Vanity Fair in Spain, Tatler in Russia and Cond? Nast Traveler in Greece.

MUMBAI: The fight amongst the colleges in India to bag the title of the India‘s first Campus Star is getting tougher and challenging with each passing week! Every contestant has pulled up his socks and is going all out to get their college a winning position.
After going through scores of promising entries, 9 finalists were narrowed down to participate in the show. But this isn‘t as easy task as it appears to be going by the constant tussle between the contestants in terms of garnering more and more votes; even the audience is waiting with bated breath as to who has the remarkable talent and tenacity to prove their mettle and above all, win votes to claim the top spot. The winner walks away with a cool Rs. 5 lakh, oodles of fame and a complete Channel [v] makeover for his/her college.

The popularity of the show is soaring high with every passing episode and that is evident from the fact that within the span of four weeks, the show has garnered
10, 00,000 votes from the audience to support its favorite Campus Star!

The biggest shockers were the votes received by Gokul Yashodharan, a student of Hindu College in Delhi who has out-beaten big heavyweights of Mumbai like National College and Xavier‘s College in the last few rounds with a rocking 3,94,879 votes. It doesn‘t end there? apna Chandigarh boy Aparshakti Khurana gave tough competition to Mumbai and Delhi contestants coming close to the second spot in terms of votes and popularity leading with 3,34,718 votes! He won both the judges‘ and audiences‘ heart by his consistent performance over the episodes.

MUMBAI: This Saturday, the stars will descend on your television screens as NDTV Imagine presents the prestigious, star-studded Sunsilk Apsara The Producers‘ Guild Awards at 8 p.m. on 12, April only on NDTV Imagine!

Over 28 Apsara Awards were presented this year, of which 16 Apsara‘s are for the Popular Awards category, 7 Apsara‘s for the Technical Awards category and 5 Apsara‘s for the Special Awards category. Indian cinema legends such as Amitabh Bachchan and Shah Rukh Khan are amongst the nominees for the awards along with the hottest stars of today from Abhishek Bachchan, Akshay Khanna and Shahid Kapoor to Kareena Kapoor Aishwarya Rai, Tabu and Rani Mukherjee!

This performance-packed, entertaining evening is hosted by the dynamic Jaaved Jaffery with the ‘captain of the Chak De team‘ Vidya Malvade. Sunsilk Apsara The Producers‘ Guild Awards features scintillating performances by Salman Khan, grooving to his hits from Partner and Salaam e Ishq; the ravishing Kareena Kapoor swaying to the tune of Its Rocking and Yeh Ishq Hai. Also setting the stage on fire, are the sexy leading ladies Katrina Kaif and Bipasha Basu with their scorching performances! Catch the special performance by the country‘s favorite item girl Rakhi Sawant as she presents her new song Dekhta Hain Tu Kya from Krazzy 4. Riteish Deshmukh has all the girls in the audience cheering for him as he performs to the title track of Heyy Babyy!

A special part of the evening, is The Film & Television Producers Guild of India‘s Life Time Achievement Award. The recipient of this award has been nominated and voted by the Guild‘s Special Committee, which is bestowed for outstanding achievement in fostering the finest ideals of the film & television profession.

The Sunsilk Apsara The Producers‘ Guild Award has been instituted by the Film and Television Producers Guild of India with an objective to establish a benchmark and a standard for honoring excellence and achievements in the industry. Each year the awards have received tremendous response with the participation of the prominent names in the industry and the presence of the leading artists and performers adding to the glamour quotient to the event. This year the awards ceremony was attended by personalities like Yash Chopra, Akshay Kumar, Govinda, Rakesh Roshan, Ranbir Kapoor, and Deepika Padukone, amongst others.

So don‘t miss this sizzling showcase of excellence in the world of Cinema with Sunsilk Apsara The Producers‘ Guild Awards at 8 p.m. on Saturday, April 12th only on NDTV Imagine.