MUMBAI: The recent violent clashes in Mumbai between resident Marathis and Non-Marathis have raised new questions about the unity of the country and the threat of cultural cleansing.CNN-IBN, in partnership with DNA, presents a special debate on whether the cosmopolitan spirit of India?s big cities is being destroyed. Prominent voices representing Maharashtrians, North Indians and other communities, join Rajdeep Sardesai to discuss issues surrounding the controversial ?Maharashtra for Marathis? question. M.N. Singh (Former Police Commissioner, Mumbai), Sanjay Nirupam (Congress Leader), Kumar Ketkar (Editor, Loksatta), Shirish Patkar (Spokesperson, MNS), Bharat Dabholkar (Theatre personality), Neera Adarkar (Urban Researcher) and Prasoon Joshi (Creative Director, McCann-Erickson) provide their expert views on a subject that has the entire country anxious. The one-hour hard-hitting show airs on Saturday, February 9 at 8 pm (repeat Sunday, Feb. 10 at 12pm) with special discussion highlights in DNA on Sunday, Feb 10.

While Mumbai might be the capital of Maharasthra, the Maximum city is a melting pot of people from all over the country and beyond. Whether originating from Delhi, Chandigarh, Allahabad or Srinagar many have called Mumbai there home for over decades. Now the battle between locals and North Indians has spilled on the streets, the question that now arises is - has Mumbai lost its sheen? Is the cosmopolitan spirit of India?s big cities being destroyed? Answering these question and more will be CNN-IBN?s ?The Big City Debate?. It will attempt to present a holistic view on these issues relating to one of the country?s most multi-ethnic cities, of which North Indians are an increasingly significant part!

"Political corruption threatens the soul of the nation?s most populous and culturally diverse city. It was therefore imperative to hold a special panel debate on an issue that goes beyond just Mumbai, to affect the nation as a whole. ?The Big City Debate? will provide a clearer understanding of the changing face of India?s major metros." Said, Rajdeep Sardesai, Editor-in-Chief, CNN-IBN & IBN 7

MUMBAI: From the moment he hit screens with his unique, deeply personal film Hyderabad Blues, Nagesh Kukunoor became an inspiration of sorts for filmmakers across India.Setting aside a career in chemical engineering, the young filmmaker did what few people manage to: He plunged into uncharted territory to do what he was passionate about.

It‘s been an interesting journey so far. Today, many movie sets later, Kukunoor is recognised as an outstanding filmmaker with a distinct vision. As his latest romantic comedy, Bombay to Bangkok, plays to audiences worldwide, he rewinds the clock, going back to when he first knew he wanted to make movies. Catch the talented director - accompanied by the attractive Ayesha Takia - in an interesting conversation with the fabulous Kabir Bedi on Director‘s Cut this 10 February, 2008 at 8:00 pm, only on Zoom - India‘s premier glamour and entertainment channel.

Although he has a reputation for being a bit reserved, Nagesh Kukunoor talks openly about his passion for cinema, and regards his success as the reason behind his isolation. Known to isolate himself for a month while working on a script, he admits to spending 12 to 16 hours a day on writing. And yet, he believes the best scripts are those written in 10 days. He recounts how Hyderabad Blues - which he made using all his savings - reinforced his belief in the legendary Alfred Hitchcock‘s style of working that demanded planning everything before shooting.

Going down memory lane, Kukunoor shares how unhappiness in his earlier job motivated him to follow his passion. He describes his genre of filmmaking as ‘real-fiction‘, and says the film Bollywood Calling is a reflection of his own life. He also gives us a few interesting insights into the making of Iqbal, which met with much critical acclaim. Nagesh believes real joy comes from box office success, not awards. He admits to shelving scripts that aren‘t produced in 30 days. Apparently, Iqbal originally revolved around the sport Malkham, but didn‘t manage to interest buyers. Nagesh had the vision to foresee what would work, changed the subject to cricket, and the rest was history.

Dor, based on a social issue, also won him several accolades. The bubbly Ayesha Takia reveals how the film changed her life and credits Kukunoor with her success. Rapid Fire questions from Kabir Bedi make this show a must watch.

Watch Nagesh Kukunoor unwind with Kabir Bedi on 10 February, 2008, at 8:00pm, only on Zoom, Isko Deko!

MUMBAI: The Lead India final encounter is between Ahmedabad‘s Devang Nanavati and Bangalore‘s R K Misra.The duo will now clash in the final in New Delhi on the 9th of February. The episode will air LIVE on Star One at 8 pm. The esteemed guests during the Finale include Arun Jaitley, Abhishek Manu Singhvi, Jaipal Reddy, Ambika Soni, Nitish Kumar, Javed Akhtar, Kiran Bedi, Aruindum Sengupta, Sitaram Yechuria amongst others.

In last week?s episode RK Misra?s five-point agenda included focusing on education and health, with special emphasis on primary education and rural health; educating farmers on sustainable farming and rural employment generation; speeding up infrastructure and industrial development; review of laws dealing with terrorism and ensuring responsive governance and removal of corruption. Kiran Bedi was not too happy with the manifesto and said that it offered nothing new and has no mention of important issues like police and electoral reforms. But Javed Akhtar thought otherwise.

Devang Nanavati?s manifesto had similar points to Misra‘s - like stress on education, internal security as well as the need to focus on rural economy. He also put forth the point that sports other than cricket should be promoted and that it was necessary to create civic awareness in society. His manifesto though, did not appeal to all the judges. It ended in a close contest. Misra got 36 points, with Nanavati just 5 points behind, at 31. Things will definitely get even more exciting, at the grand final.

As the final battle brews on, the two finalists will be seen presenting their Dream Projects for India which they intend to undertake with the 50 lakh prize money. Apart from the grand prize for the selected leader of India, other awards for outstanding performances through different missions in other episodes will also be given to the contenders. The grand finale will also be the occasion to give away the Cheevening scholarship from the London University (previously announced by the British High Commissioner) to the 3 runner ups. All this & more will take place in the presence of the most famous personalities from the field of politics, science, Bollywood etc.

Who will walk away with the grand prize? Who will be elected as the true leader of India? Watch the Grand Finale of Times of India?s Lead India, on February 9 at 8 pm on Star One! Tune in and vote for the man whom you think will lead us to a better India.

MUMBAI: Restaurateur and ?Diva? chef Ritu Dalmia, transcends cooking into a sensual and sensory experience in this must watch special series.Ritu takes food beyond the kitchen - to come up with an unmatched menu, exclusively for you.

With a hugely popular restaurant ?Diva? - and menu - at London‘s Vama under her belt, and a keen appreciation of cooking, cuisine, appetite and the senses, for Ritu, the world is truly her oyster and the show a must watch!

Watch ?Passion? on Friday, February 08, 2008 at 10:00 pm and a repeat telecast on Sunday, February 10, 2008 at 1:00 pm only on NDTV Good Times

MUMBAI: What?s your romantic style? Do you sweep you?re your loved one off the floor with love melodies? Or do your have him/ her rolling on the floor with your gags?

Starting 6th February, Fever 104 presents Senti-Mental ? the week-long Valentine?s Day contest wherein a question is put forward and listeners have to come back with either a mushy (senti) or a whacky (mental) answer. And, keeping the spirit of Valentine?s in mind, the grand reward for going senti ? mental is an 8 day, 7 night international cruise with lots of passion, romance and grandeur thrown in. It?s a floating resort with your valentine.

Speaking on the same, Gowri Satyamoorthy Kapre, National Promotions Head, Fever 104 FM, said, ?We do expect to see some fun and excitement this Valentine?s Day and we already have calls coming in from love-struck listeners. We created quite a stir last year with the Love Crazy contest (which had couples winning anything from an elephant ride to being up on a hoarding for a week) and hope to create the same magic again!? The Valentine?s Day celebrations will be on-air across Delhi, Mumbai and Bangalore.

Staying true to its philosophy of being all about the music, Fever 104 FM will also play out a love musicale on the 14th wherein one can dedicate love songs to one?s loved ones. Dedications are open from the 8th to the 14th of February.

MUMBAI: The road to the White House, as the Beatles might have said, is long and winding -- and the 2008 contest is no exception. Campaigning started earlier than ever, with candidates running at a breakneck pace a year before any votes are cast.The road includes major stops in Iowa, New Hampshire, South Carolina and Nevada, a semi-national primary on February 5, national party conventions in Denver, Colorado, and Minneapolis-St. Paul, Minnesota, a national Election Day in November and a meeting of the Electoral College in December -- with dozens of filing deadlines and thousands of fundraisers, chicken dinners and campaign stops along the way. And it all leads to Inauguration Day in January 2009, when the new president and vice president take office on the steps of the Capitol in Washington.

Super Tuesday results:
Twenty-four states held presidential primaries or caucuses on February 5: Alabama, Alaska, Arizona, Arkansas, California, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, Georgia, Idaho, Illinois, Kansas, Massachusetts, Minnesota, Missouri, Montana, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, North Dakota, Oklahoma, Tennessee, Utah and West Virginia. For the Democrats, 1,681 delegates are at stake in 16 primaries and seven caucuses. The Republicans have 1,020 delegates at stake in 15 primaries and six caucuses.