Manoviraj Khosla strongly believes that the Indian fashion industry is on its way to becoming better and stronger. The designer is a name to be reckoned with as he moved from strength to strength, setting up the Manoviraj Khosla Studio in 1990 and tying up with the UB group in 1995 to launch his second label, The Kingfisher Line. Having kick-started his career with men's wear, the designer is back to his first love... As he unveils his latest collectionat the Van Heusen's India Men's Week 2010, he talks about his passion for all things fashion.

Tell us a little about the collection you unveiled at the Van Huesen's Men's Week 2010.

It's called Sunshine in the Dark and, like the name suggests, it's bright and colourful. There are a lot of colours mixed with essential blacks and whites. I've used kalamkari prints of Andhra Pradesh on the jackets, teamed up linen and denim and layering with sheer fabric to make sure that the designs underneath show. The silhouettes are narrow; the jackets are both zipped up as well as buttoned down with hints of pleating and puckering. Surface texturisation, flock printing as well as metal detailing on the clothes all combine to make this collection what it is.  Whether you are going to a bar or a formal lunch, the collection has something for each occasion. It's for the man who likes to dress up and go out. It's 100 per cent wearable.

How do you adapt your style to the changing trends?

If you really think about it, the trends haven't changed drastically as far as men's fashion is concerned. Of course, lengths alter, silhouettes change, shapes of jackets and lapels change, but a jacket's a jacket and a trouser's a trouser. Working with these basic shapes, one has to experiment with colours, play around with fabrics and textures to produce different things without going overboard. I think, to a certain degree, this applies to women's clothing as well.

You began with men's wear in 1990. How has the transition to women's wear and accessories been?

I can't deny that I definitely still enjoy designing for men more. It's my forte; it's what I do best. Of course it's a pleasure working with women's wear, there is a lot more freedom to experiment with shapes and types, but I really enjoy the challenge men's wear poses.

How do you think the fashion industry has grown and adapted as far as men's wear being considered serious fashion is concerned?

Oh, it is definitely getting better. More and more men are understanding and accepting fashion. Earlier they'd just put on a shirt and any old trousers or jeans and that would be the end of it. But now they actually take care to pick and choose. More men are wearing jackets, experimenting with other fabrics and textures. Men's fashion is high fashion too, and the industry is fast recognising the market for it.

You have a lot of experience working with corporate houses. Do you think these businesses should invest in fashion to accelerate the growth of the industry?

There is very real need for that to happen. There are already a number of corporate houses that invest in fashion but they are all focussing on bringing international labels to India. How many take an Indian label and make it international? With the right kind of money and effort, it can happen because we certainly have the talent and potential. A lot of office wear is designed by Indian labels, but when it comes to high fashion, the names are always international. That's where we lose out.

Your comments on the crop of new designers on the fashion scene?

I think it's brilliant that new and exciting talent is constantly surfacing. The old, established names will always be there but we need more experimentation, more passion. The new designers have this. They are ready to push the boundaries, try newer, more stimulating things. Some of them clearly have the spark to go far.

What about the trend of celebrities walking the ramp?

It's excellent for press coverage but horrible for the garment. The famous face brings the media, but the focus is on that face. The garment gets overshadowed. Sometimes it is a good idea, because of the glamour quotient it brings to the show.

You have used kalamkari prints on your designs. Do you think more such art forms need to be tapped by the fashion industry?

Of course. If these art forms can be taken and adapted to suit the garments, cottage industry can come in very handy to high fashion. I've used the kalamkari prints on the jackets in such a way that any man can put on that jacket and go for a formal occasion. It's all about adapting and, if it is done right, it can add a lot of value and character to the garment.

Where would you place the local Indian market for high fashion right now?

It is getting better, definitely. The last two years have seen a more accelerated growth than the last 10 years. The industry is getting bigger and better, and so is the market for it. There is room for improvement, but I am sure it'll only get better.

Any new projects in the pipeline?

I have a lot of corporate stuff coming up right now, designs for uniforms and such. Along with that, I'm always looking to experiment with newer styles and designs.

SEP 04  : Mumbai Shahid, whose double role in the movie as the quiet Guddu and the spunky Charlie was very well...

It is no secret that Kaminey star Shahid Kapoor and producer Vishal Bhardwaj had a major falling out during the making of Kaminey due to creative differences. But now that the two have patched up, buzz has it that Shahid is trying to persuade Vishal into producing a sequel to the super duper hit movie!

Shahid, whose double role in the movie as the quiet Guddu and the spunky Charlie was very well received by audiences, feels that the movie has become something of a brand now and a sequel would be a box-office hit. The actor has been sitting in frequent meetings with Vishal regarding the possibility of a sequel and Vishal is even responding somewhat positively as of yet.

But hold your horses, a sequel will not be in the making anytime soon though. Vishal currently has his hands full with Saat Khoon Maaf, starring Priyanka Chopra.

Sep 04: Delhi girl Sheena Nayyar knows where to put her money and she doesn't shy away from admitting that. Fetching instant attention, courtesy her bold and confident act sans any hint of vulgarity despite wearing skimpy outfits, Sheena is happy that her MALLIKA is in news. Despite biggies like WE ARE FAMILY, DABANGG and ANJAANA ANJAANI surrounding it from all corners, MALLIKA has managed to fetch eye balls and Sheena deserves a big chunk of credit for that.

When complimented, this is what Sheena had to say. "Well, I am hearing this a lot from many quarters over last couple of weeks so I guess I must have done things right, " laughs Sheena who is making her debut with this supernatural film directed by Wilson Louis, "The aim was to project me as an upcoming Bollywood actress who would be adored by masses and thankfully we have managed to do that."

Tell her that she had made a huge first impression as someone who is a good combination of being confident and sexy and Sheena says, "Being sexy and glamorous is very important for any Bollywood actress. You may be very talented but audience has to see your film to know about that. To pull them into theaters so that they see all other aspects of your personality as well, you have to bring on your sexy side first. This has worked well for MALLIKA and I am sure once audience will watch the film, they will also realise my acting potential."

Well, we told you, she is one confident young woman out there!

sep 04: Archie Panjabi won the best supporting actress award for her role as the straight-talking private detective Kalinda Sharma in the US drama The Good Wife. The 38-year-old, who made her name in the British hit films East is east and Bend it Like Beckham, appeared elated as she accepted the prestigious US television award.

She said: "When I started in the business in England, just getting a job was a dream. And to receive an Emmy now is just beyond my wildest dreams.” Panjabi, whose family immigrated to London from India before she was born, is among only a handful of Sikh performers ever to have won an Emmy.

But she has told how her strict family  were less than supportive when she announced her aspiration to become an actress because the profession is considered “lowly” by many traditional Indian communities. “We did have a few arguments because I wanted to go to drama school,” she said previously. When I was younger a friend of mine’s mother said that this business was only for prostitutes. I thought, Oh my God, do I label myself as that?”

But she added that her parents had ultimately agreed to support her ambition on the condition that she went to university first. Her 2:1 in management studies from Brunel may not have contributed much to her meteoritic success as an actress, but her parents’ skepticism about show business appears to have helped keep her feet on the ground. Panjabi, who is now married to the businessman Raj Nihalani, said in a recent interview that her favorite pastime is “simply relaxing with a candle and a book,” adding: “simple things are so important because I think in this industry…it’s like being part of a bubble.”

She has spoken often of the importance of her spirituality, and makes no secret of the fact that she carries a small, gold amulet – a gift from her guru in Malaysia – as a symbol of protection. She said: “This business, it chews a lot of people up. It's one of the hardest professions in the world to maintain any kind of stability. But my spirituality helps with that.” In her acceptance speech at the ceremony in Los Angeles she paid tribute to Angelina Jolie, with whom she worked on the 2007 film A Mighty Heart.

She said backstage that the US actress was “incredibly grounded” and a “big inspiration”. The British actress Julia Ormond also won a supporting actor trophy at the 62nd Primetime Emmy Awards for her role in Temple Grandin, the biopic based on the life of a gifted, autistic animal sciences expert.

The film, which was directed by her fellow Briton Mick Jackson, was also honored as best TV movie at the ceremony in Los Angeles on Sunday night. But Hugh Laurie, Dame Judi Dench, Michael Sheen and Sir Ian McKellen were among the big British names that went home empty handed. Mad Men, the period advertising drama, took top honors’ with the coveted best drama series gong.

Actor Manisha Koirala got married to businessman Samrat Dahal in June this year. Now, after exactly three months of an extended honeymooning period, she would be returning to the Bollywood scene. On September 18, Manisha will attend the New York premier of her upcoming film and plans are already being put together to ensure a warm welcome. Confirms filmmaker Onir, “Yes, Manisha has given her nod for the world premiere of I Am. She shot for her part before her marriage and ensured that all her commitments were fulfilled. Now that we are looking at taking the film globally, she is going out of her way to support the event.” An industry observer adds, “In any case, for Manisha too, this is a good platform to be back in action. Her last film Ek Second... Jo Zindagi Badal De went totally unnoticed while it has been close to a decade since she last had a successful film to her name. After Company (2002), where she had a brief role, none of her films have worked. In fact Manisha has had 15 odd flops in a row since then. She can well be expected to support a film that gets her the kind of critical appreciation that she deserves.” For the event, Manisha Koirala would be joined by actors Juhi Chawla, Rahul Bose, Sanjay Suri, Purab Kohli, Arjun Mathur and director Onir. Adds Onir, “Manisha is going through the happiest phase of her life. It’s no nice of her to be joining us straight after her honeymoon. I am looking forward to seeing her again this month. It would certainly be a great reunion.”

Sep 01: Eros, which has a library of more than 2,000 films, posted a pre-tax profit of $49.5m (£32m), up 2pc, for the year ending March 31. This was despite revenues slipping 4pc to $149.7m as a row with Indian multiplex chains meant no films were released between April and June last year.

The company also saw a 17pc fall in television syndication revenue, but said this was expected after the exceptional 94pc growth seen in the previous year.

Kishore Lulla, executive chairman, said: "The last two years have been extremely challenging in the competitive context within the Indian entertainment sector, as well as the general economic and political climate. I am proud to say Eros has come out both stronger and wiser. For what was effectively a nine-month year on account of the multiplex standoff, the underlying business has performed extremely well."

Eros plans to move from the Aim market to a full listing once it has completed its Indian listing.

The shares fell 2½ to 197p.