Vol. 1 No. 3
Doorstep 8 pages
Fortnightly
27 May to 9 June 2012
Chennai
FREE
This Magz-paper is distributed in Adyar, Besant Nagar, Boat’s Club, Chetpet, Mahalingapuram, Nungambakkam, Thiruvanmiyur and Velachery.
Actress, Activist, and more... Doorstep catches up with “Vinmeengal“ star “Anuja Iyer“. “Chennai City”, what comes to your mind once you hear the name? Chennai is home to me. It brings back memories of my childhood since I grew up here for most part of my life. You were born and brought up in Chennai and later studied in Delhi. Tell us about it? The comforts and luxury of staying with your parents and the pampered life at home had to take a detour when I decided to explore the world by getting away from their shadows. And that exposure shaped me into the independent, informed and confident person that I am today. Fame and Privacy. How do you feel Chennai respects your Privacy? People are very understanding and give space to the private lives that we actors are also entitled to have. While I do get recognized every time I step out of the house, everyone has their own job to attend to rather than invade on my privacy. So it is a beautiful city filled with warm amiable people. Which places in Chennai excite you, when you are in this city? Movie Multiplexes, since I’m a film buff and ‘Margazhi’ season since I love the weather then, celebrated with festivals of dance, music, fine arts and fine kolams. When did you decide to become an actor? What made you feel that passion? When my first film M3V (Visit www.m3v.asia for details) happened and made me realize that acting was very much an intrinsic part of me and didn’t have to take an extra effort to act naturally. It just happened and when it did, it felt right, felt good. From M3V to VINMEENGAL, how is the journey for you as an actress? It’s been a great learning experience that can be called a journey of self-discovery. I’ve also grown as an actor with every film and look forward to absorbing something new with every new film I work on. In VINMEENGAL as ‘Ila’ you have been appreciated for your performance, tell us about it? I guess the key to that appreciation lies in understanding the director, Vignesh Menon’s vision of his female lead role and translating that on screen without being too filmy and over-dramatic in acting your part out. And dubbing for my own voice in all my movies helps me bring that role alive and takes it to a few notches higher than the actual performance per se.
If you dont receive Doorstep Magz-paper at your Doorstep in the above mentioned areas Pls call us and inform at 044 23631984 or tweet @doorstepchennai
You are a model, advertising professional, actress and you write for a popular film website, comments? How do you manage? Where there is talent, make use of it. All of them are part of the media industry and inter-related to each other. So it’s more about diversifying your strengths and spreading your time to all things that interests you.
Th is
Food P3
Ed it
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On a serious note, how do you conduct your social responsibility as an actor? Ciao Fresca Pizzeria !!! Serving the cause of helpless and homeless animals seems to be my life’s calling and I’ve been doing my bit for their welfare in finding homes for stray dogs and fostering them until they get adopted.
Fashion P4
Your take on portrayal of women in modern Tamil cinema? “Design your summer with Maybell” Definitely evolving with every passing year in meaningful cinema but there’s a lot more scope for directors to trust female leads with more substantial roles in commercial masala films than just relegating them to duets and adding Lounge P6 glamour to the songs. Cinema must mirror the successful real women in our lives ranging from pilots to neurologists Fruity summer @ Mango to scientists that’ll go a long way in inspiring the youngsters in the state. Lounge How do you decide, about choosing your roles? Travel P8 The technical team behind the camera needs to be promising with good credentials and backed by an interesting script that gives enough scope to do your job well. KOLLI HILLS
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Team Doorstep
Presence in Media and Entertainment opens up a healthy interaction with various types of people, how do you enjoy meeting people? Observe their nature before you get close. Mingle if your instinct gives a go-ahead. And distance yourself if the vibes don’t match. But those who seem good as per your judgment, welcome them into your professional space and maintain a longstanding association.
K.V. Kannan Managing Editor C. Prasanna Venkatesh Editor V. Shrie Mohan Creative Head Nishanth Radhakrishnan Food Editor
Who are your critics? Whose comments do you value? My followers on facebook and twitter are my wellwishers who give their honest feedback about my films and my performance. Even minute details that we would’ve missed get noticed by the audience and you realize how sharp they are when they interact about my films on such social platforms. So bouquets or brickbats, they’re always welcome as long as it is genuine.
Sruthi Sai Fashion Designer Aprajithan Adhimoolam S. Suresh Art Consultant Tiasa Das Design Consultant
Tell us about your upcoming movies? Couple of interesting projects are lined up for this year that’ll show me in two dramatically different roles I’ve not done till now. Both will showcase women as powerful, as intelligent and as confident as they are in real life too. But the details shall be disclosed once the project is officially announced by the production house. Tell us a Secret about yourself, we would only print? If I tell you, then it’s no longer a secret.
Soju Francis Graphic Designer Writers / Contributors
Javeeth Ahamed
Illustration : Mr.Jeeva Nathan
I appreciate Doorstep promoting local sports by asking readers to write and comment. But, I feel you guys should promote sports more openly, send your reporter to local games, and report it in your paper. Apart from that, I like the way you give importance to every aspect of art and life. I wish you grand success. Sankara Murthy, Nungambakkam. I have read the first two editions of your magz-paper. I loved the concept and the design. As a home maker I suggest you carry more content based on them and when you talk about interaction, it would be nice to see interviews of people one among ourselves. Anitha Krishnan, Velachery. I will be happy if the new entrant ‘Doorstep’ reaches our doorsteps regularly without a break. Many such papers had come with a bang but ended with a whimper. You seem to have a young and energetic team. For a fortnightly issue, the pages and coverage have to be more! All the best! G.Swaminathan, Adyar. Send your Comments / Feedbacks to cpv@trifinmedia.com, or Tweet @cpvenkatesh
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B.Shadir Bughari Managed by K.V. Kannan Publisher Rajesh Narayanaswamy Managing Partner Rasi Graphics Pvt Ltd. Printer
27 May to 9 June 2012
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Ciao Fresca Pizzeria !!! Food
M.R.Nishanth directs Chennai Food Guide : your one stop guide to restaurants in Chennai feedbacks @foodieinchennai
‘CFG Diner Club’ is an initiative by Chennai Food Guide to promote special & exclusive dining experiences of select restaurants in and around Chennai. It is a private event which incorporates fine dining along with an educational session, on food and all things pertaining to it. Dr.B.Shadir Bughari of Chennai Foodies writes about reviewing Chennai’s acclaimed restaurateur, Mr. Sandesh Reddy’s Fresca Pizzaria. Fresca Pizzaria has opened at the premises which used to be restaurant Maya. The ambiance seems to be the same with an open kitchen, Mr.Sandesh enlightened us about the various components of the meal, such as the cheese, breads and pastas, and he also pointed to us the differences between the Italian Cuisine and Neapolitan Cuisine. By the time he was done explaining to us, we could understand the labour which had gone in making this meal. We are given a proper four course meal, from starters, pastas, pizzas and desserts.
Course 3: The round of pizzas. The Quattro Fromaggi is a 4 cheese pizza. People who love cheese will love it. This pizza is really rich and tasty. You could differentiate the different cheeses which imparted flavour to it. The Margherita pizza too tasted great, the tomato sauce was full flavoured with a good balance between sour and sweet. The Pesto and Artichoke pizza, the pesto sauce complemented the artichoke, making it scrumptious. Finally, Grilled Chicken Pizza. It has the most tender and properly grilled chicken that I have ever tasted. It had me going Bonkers!
Course 1: After taking us to different levels of nirvana with the cheese, we are served with the starters. I selected Ajo Blanco. This is a cold soup made of almonds, stewed green grapes and gastrique. After the brilliant cold soup, I took a bite of the Carpaccio. It has very, very thinly sliced beef, rocket, mustard mango and parmesan. The mixture of basil leaves with the beef and cheese made it mouth watering. My taste buds were on an overdrive because these are some of the tastiest dishes I have ever had.
After the three courses, we had an Apple Sorbet with lime juice. The lime augmented the apple really well.
Course 2: The Smoked Chicken Agnolotti had Tomato, Basil and Parmesan along with the chicken. Agnolotti is a type of ravioli pasta. This dish is heavenly, with the chicken stuffed inside the pasta. The tomatoes are lush and juicy. Fromaggio Ravioli, is made of three different varieties of cheese, wine butter and pickled vegetables. Spinach Gnocchi with butter milk and gorgonzola is flavoursome, with the spinach giving it a nice punch.
The dishes which left us yearning for more, are the following- Smoked Gorgonzola Cheese with poached Pear, Ajo Balanco (Cold soup made of almonds, stewed green grapes and gastrique), Fromaggio Ravioli (Pasta made of three different varieties of cheese and Wine Butter and Pickled vegetables), Smoked Chicken Agnolotti (Agnolotti is a type of Ravioli Pasta), Quattro Fromaggi (Pizza with four different types of cheese) and Grilled Chicken Pizza. Also the lovely desserts Tiramisu and Bocha Negra (Gooey triple dark chocolate fudge with Bean Vanilla Ice Cream), the Tiramisu in spite of the ladysfinger cakes being soaked in Rum was very lovely. Though the other dishes tasted great, these were the dishes which linger in my memory. The vegetarians boasted that the day belonged to the vegetarian dishes, which were simply awesome.
Course 4: The Tiramisu is marvellous with mascarpone being sweet as nectar. The ladyfinger cake was soaked in rum. Along with the cream it tasted great. The Bocha Negra was gooey triple dark chocolate fudge, with a bean vanilla ice cream. This tasted very much like a Lava Cake of Dominos.
By the time we wound up with all the eating and posing queries to Sandesh, it was 11:15pm. As a review team, we were happy to certify that the food rocked an experience that Fresca definitely holds a lot of promise. Wish Sandesh and his team the best. Fresca Pizzaria will be opening to public by the end of this month and I am definitely heading back with my family and friends. Location: Located in Khader Nawaz Khan, in the building which houses United Colours of Benetton.
By Dr.B.Shadir Bughari
Dentist, Foodie and Photographer www.chennaisoru.com www.doorsteponnet.com
Boutique’s
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“Design your summer with Maybell” The growth of Maybell from a store offering “Nightwear and Loungewear” to a Boutique that also offers “Sarees, Mix-n-match, Dress materials, Accessories and more” beams big when you enter their Chennai stores. It’s a time of all emerging trends in retail therapy and impulse shopping, as you see retail outlets blooming around you. We can learn that no one wants to stay a step behind in fashion. Women and men nowadays want to wear something better, newer and “Exclusiver”. Ya, that’s the word “Exclusiver”. The costumes you wear epitomes the type of person you are. The core idea of Maybell is to cater to this dynamic taste of its customers. When trends change every season, the thirst for new varieties increase, then consider Maybell. Maybell stocks a wide assortment of dress materials, kurtas, sarees, nightwear, loungewear, lingerie and accessories. ‘Soul-based’, ‘fun’, ‘energetic’ – such is the collection on the racks at the newest store of the brand. From earthy tones to bold hues and a varied range of prints and materials, the mix and match collection has some eccentric twists to desi styles. Choose from block prints and brocades to bandinis and batiks – name the print, name the fabric and its’ there! An array of traditional mix & match concepts, combining tradition with modernism, ranging from earthy tones to bold splashes of color, chiffons to cotton blends, exquisite embroidery innovations and whole lot of the “desi” flavour! This “ready to wear” brand promises to instantly transform you into a Diva with its scintillating collection. Maybell is one of a kind in the city attracting shopaholics with varying tastes & preferences. Maybell boutiques are currently located in 3 cities and its rapid growth is entirely based on its vibrant designs and the way it constantly adapts itself to the taste of the customers by balancing their needs with various choices. Maybell is tastefully done up in terms of look and feel of its stores. Every product stands distinguished with its unique and easy to pick method of presentation. The interesting part is that every time you visit the store, you find it different in terms of its collection, presentation and service. Prices start from Rs.395 and go up to Rs.15000 for the more exquisite and embellished pieces
Shop at Maybell now and get a gift voucher worth Rs.500 for purchase of Rs.3000 & above. Offer valid till 15th June 2012
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27 May to 9 June 2012
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Spring summer ’12 collection: “Aarohi” A collection completely soul fun, energetic and loads of colours and hues. Traditional mix and match concepts, variety in terms of silhouettes, combining tradition and modernism.
Visit Maybell stores at
• Indo western. • Tie n dye, Ikats, Bold Prints. • Crushed Cottons. • Mughal Inspired Colours and Motifs. • Mirror Work, Sequins, Bead Work. • Dyed Ropes. • Puff Sleeves to Cuff Detailing. • York Decorations with Laces. • Placed Decorations etc…
Chetpet Store: No 19, Buckingham Garden 55/61, Nowroji Road Chetpet, Chennai - 600 031 Ph: 044 - 42857087
Adyar Store: 27/12, 1st Street, Kamaraj Avenue Adyar, Chennai - 600 020 Ph: 044 – 24433898
For more details Email to info@maybellindia.com or log on to www.maybellindia.com
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Spot’s
Fruity summer @ Mango Lounge the mango from green to yellow without much ripening. This is done in order to target quick sales, minimize the wastage and hence maximize the profits. All the mangoes here are allowed to ripen naturally with hay packing as in those good olden days. Here, quality and safety of consumers is valued the most.
Fairly Priced These export quality mangoes are priced reasonably, we make sure that you enjoy the benefits of nature for what you pay.
Farm Fresh These are direct from the farm and hence reach the consumers without losing their freshness.
Mangoes are not just great in taste; they also hold great nutritional value. They have numerous health benefits and are a perfect choice to soothe your summer woes.
Absolutely Delicious Due to their natural ripening, and extensive care taken, the fruits taste heavenly.
For perfect mangoes, visit the Mango Lounge @
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rabbing a Mango is the happening time for our taste buds this season. One of the most luscious and nutritious of fruits, the mango has always been the undisputed King of all the Fruits. But what with artificially ripened versions flooding the market these days, the mango lover’s search for a succulent yet safe mango is often in vain. HIBA IMPEX , one of the most promising firms in the field of exports, focusing primarily on agricultural commodities have come up with a one stop solution, The Mango Lounge!
Some of the varieties available are Jehangir, Himampasand, Alphonso, Javeri, Banganapalli, Rumani, Rasaal, Senthura etc. Hand Plucked These mangoes are hand plucked to ensure there is no physical damage attained.
HIBA IMPEX 8, Dhanammal St, Chetpet, Chennai600031. Ph: 9840154343 / 9840934455. Hiba.importexport@gmail.com www.hibaimpex.com
Naturally Ripened The artificially ripened mangoes which are generally available everywhere, are very harmful and possess serious health hazards. This is due to the use of carbide stone which will only turn the colour of
We also offer Gift Boxes | Corporate offers | Free home delivery.
Reasons for Choosing Mango Lounge
Mango Lounge is an exclusive retail outlet that offers you their export quality, farm fresh mangoes which are ripened naturally. The choicest mangoes are hand plucked and packed in attractive carton boxes. Their exotic and truly irresistible varieties of mangoes are delicious in taste and have a great flavour.
Tear this coupoun and avail 10 % offer, on your purchase @ Mango Lounge www.doorsteponnet.com
Dear Chennai, “Why This Kolaveri?” The history of Chennai boasts of hot auto meters, torn-apart buses, fat policemen, the world’s biggest lovers open beach and film stars who turned politicians who turned …..? The traffic here is so surprisingly free-flowing that you have to stop only once every 200metres at a speed-breaker. Now that we have so much more tar, I think the civic body could use it on the road for a change. Every “Nair” will own a tea shop; every “Reddy” will have a business and every “Saetu” will have a pawn shop. Tamilians will not mind working under them because we, sir, are always a culture synonymous with accommodating. We will work our backsides off for anybody with such loyalty, that they will not mind being entrepreneurs in this city. After all, it was the Madras Presidency once!
What we fail to recognize is our leaders. We have a brilliant set of them. Look at the recent past. Our city has developed quite a bit – Auto hubs, IT Centres, Flyovers, Shopping Plazas, AC Buses, the Metro rail and what not. But have you heard of any major scams at the state level? Now, glance a little at the national level. Come on, give them credit! Yes, we make Chapattis with Maida, our summer is crazy, we sweat like water tanks, our Auto-Walla’s have banks under their seats, we wear Lungis to theatres, Tamil is the only language in this country for us, but remember we gave Aishwarya Rai her debut. Some things matter the most and it’s wise to remember them. We live in this awesome bubble called “Culture” that breaks open only in specific points across the
27 May to 9 June 2012
city. We call ourselves a historically traditional city that the “Mini-skirt, tight leather pant clad; cocktails jostling down” crowd somehow becomes incognito. Dear Public Image, think of what it feels like when people from this state travel across the country. Others look at us like we are Adivasis. Let’s maintain tradition but not hide what the youth does. Oops, it’s 11’o clock. Let’s Shut Down! I don’t mind actors turning politicians or for that matter politicians turning into actors. At times, goons turning good or good folk turning goons. But explain to me how is it that at St George, a state maintains the consistency of an alternate government every 5 years. Maybe, hidden somewhere in this city is India’s answer to an Olympic PingPong Gold!
Doorstep
disagreeing with me, I will pin you down on your “Full Meals” eaten tummy and drop truckloads of sand into your mouth from the Marina. I promise on my grand-mother’s hand that mixed rice with such zeal at lunch, that half of it dropped out of the plate that you will be paralytic if you care to disagree. “Nandri-Vanakkam!”
By Javeeth Ahamed (The writer is pure-Chennaite and can’t think of a day without Marina breeze or a “Full Meals” for lunch. Blame my editor for forcing me to hurt “our” feelings with this article. Say good things to me on twitter @javeeth)
And finally remember – “Rajnikanth is GOD”. If you even think of
Send you Articles / Contributions, of word limit 400 words, along with your profile and contact details to contactus@doorsteponnet.com
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KOLLI HILLS- The mystical and magical paradise on earth waterfalls and hit its top and watch how it feels like to witness it from its top. We have realized that there is a life and society beyond tourist destinations which is close to our hearts. Sitting on the 400m humongous cliff; enjoying the magnificent views; with the chill breeze soothing through nostrils; with an unconscious smile on the face and heart filled with happiness certainly quenches our adrenaline rush. It’s a trekker’s feeling lost in his own world far away from humanity nevertheless close to nature. Conquering the 1,100 meters-plus Kolli peak:
There is a place on earth which is feared for its mysteriousness, which is worshipped for its magical powers, which is a home for many saints; which is a place for many cave temples.
Standing tall and spreading its wings on the Eastern Ghats, this place is a beauty by creation; it’s a paradise by birth; as the name suggests it can kill you with its gorgeousness.
Taking a bath in the Akash Ganga: The initial steps of the trek were climbed along the chill and refreshing stream of Kolli hills to reach the famous Akash Ganga waterfalls. Lost at the sight of her majesty; loving the chill moisturized breeze hitting my body; adoring the smell of her waters; I saw and admired the mind blowing view of the beautiful Akash Ganga waterfalls dropping from the sky. No wonder it was named as Akash Ganga, a well deserved name. I slowly ventured into the bone chilling water to take a dip in her soothing waters. This was one the best experiences I ever had standing below a waterfalls and enjoying the pin-like water hitting me hard. My body was enjoying the enchantment of the nature and my heart was filled with absolute delight. Akash Ganga will be ever remembered by us for the wonderful life-time experience it offered to us. Visit to the top of the Akash Ganga waterfalls:
We initially trekked through a village trail and soon reached the base of the peak; then it was full of tricky rock climbing. The climb to reach the peak braving the scorching sun was rewarded with wonderful views of the entire Kolli valley. The Akash Ganga waterfall was beneath us and we were blessed with the mind-blowing view of the entire Kolli hills. The sense of satisfaction was very obvious on every one’s face leaving cherishing memories for life. Ascending the Kolli hills through a rocky village trail: We ascended along the village trails crossing several villages and spending wonderful afternoon and lunch in some of the most beautiful and peaceful villages situated in the Kolli hills. The best part of the afternoon was fetching water from the village water well and quenching our thirst and finishing our lip-smacking lunch from the gardens of the village. The most tiring part of the trek was ascending along the hilly and rocky steps to reach Pullianchoolai village. Exhaustion apart, slowly and steadily we successfully ascended through the village trail and reached the Pullianchoolai stream and had a nice bath in the chill water. Kolli had been in my must visit places for hiking and I did not want to miss this opportunity and at the end of the two days adventure at Kolli hills I had an absolute sense of satisfaction in completing this wonderful trek and exploring a few of the less visited places by mankind. Happy trekking Durai Murugan Courtesy: Peter Van Geit Project Manager CISCO Chennai Founder : Chennai Trekking Club Profile - http://www.facebook.com/PeterVanGeit
We decided to conquer the Akash Ganga Owned & Published by K.V.Kannan from No. 162 – N Block, MMDA Colony, Arumbakkam, Chennai – 106. Printed by Raj Kumar at Rasi Graphics Pvt. Ltd. 40,Peters Road, Royapettah, Chennai - 600014, Editor : C. Prasanna Venkatesh