MARCH MADNESS & APRIL FOOLS....

March Madness leads to....April Fools















Yes, the NCAA Men's Basketball Tournament remains the most exciting sports event of the year and April Fools Day remains the preeminent hoaxing jokester day of the year. April Fools Day is observed in many countries with many variations on the theme, but with a hoax of some type being the underlying element. Helpful Buckeye scanned the list of the Top 100 April Fools Day Hoaxes of All Time for anything involving dogs or cats and only found one, #41. Scan the list yourself. There are some interesting hoaxes described: http://www.museumofhoaxes.com/hoax/aprilfool/

More on the basketball tournament will follow below in the SPORTS NEWS section.

According to the results of last week's poll on dog and/or cat bites and/or scratches, it seems as though not very many of our readers have had those unfortunate experiences. And, that's a good thing! Be sure to answer this week's poll question in the left column.

The first two readers to "translate" the quote from William Jennings Bryan at the end of last week's issue of Questions On Dogs and Cats, "Do not compute the totality of your poultry population until all the manifestations of incubation have been entirely completed," were Helpful Buckeye's Aunt Cathy, in Florida, and Neil, who writes the blog, Life With Dogs. This interesting blog is told from the point of view of the family dogs...check it out. The translation of the quote is..."Don't count your chickens until the eggs have hatched!"

Among the comments submitted last week, Helpful Buckeye really appreciated this one: "Count me a new fan of your blog. When it comes to dogs, there is so much to learn. Cheers,"
Neil (Life With Dogs) at: http://lifewithdogs.blogspot.com/

Helpful Buckeye would like to thank our new "Followers" this week, Neil, Donna, and Hearnoevil80. Any of you can sign up as a "Follower" by simply clicking on the "Follow" icon and filling in a few blanks. You can either sign in anonymously or use a photo. Join us for our weekly chitchat.

If you live in an area where you don't give your dog heartworm preventive medication during the winter months, it's time to get back on schedule due to mosquitoes making their appearance again.
In actuality, except for the very coldest wintry locations, a dog owner would be wise to give the preventive medicine year round. For a review of heartworm infection in dogs and cats, click on "Heartworms" under the "Labels" section in the left column.

CURRENT NEWS OF INTEREST

1) The American SPCA has designated April as the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Month.

HOW TO RECOGNIZE CRUELTY

Signs That an Animal Might Be Abused
Recognizing cruelty is simple, right? Not quite, say ASPCA experts. Obvious behaviors such as aggression, timidity and fear don’t always tell the whole story. Animals may appear to be timid or frightened for many reasons other than abuse.
“It’s almost impossible to make conclusions based on a pet’s behavior alone,” says the ASPCA Animal Behavior Center’s Kristen Collins, CPDT. “The best way to tell whether a pet is being or has been abused is to examine him and his surrounding environment.”
Check out our list of signs that may alert you an animal needs help:
Physical Signs

• Collar so tight that it has caused a neck wound or has become embedded in the pet’s neck


• Open wounds, signs of multiple healed wounds or an ongoing injury or illness that isn’t being treated


• Untreated skin conditions that have caused loss of hair, scaly skin, bumps or rashes


• Extreme thinness or emaciation—bones may be visible


• Fur infested with fleas, ticks or other parasites


• Patches of bumpy, scaly skin rashes


• Signs of inadequate grooming, such as extreme matting of fur, overgrown nails and dirty coat


• Weakness, limping or the inability to stand or walk normally


• Heavy discharge from eyes or nose


• An owner striking or otherwise physically abusing an animal


• Visible signs of confusion or extreme drowsiness

Environmental Signs

• Pets are tied up alone outside for long periods of time without adequate food or water, or with food or water that is unsanitary


• Pets are kept outside in inclement weather without access to adequate shelter


• Pets are kept in an area littered with feces, garbage, broken glass or other objects that could harm them


• Animals are housed in kennels or cages (very often crowded in with other animals) that are too small to allow them to stand, turn around and make normal movements possibly with too many other animals

“Reporting suspected animal cruelty ensures that animals in jeopardy receive prompt and often lifesaving care,” says ASPCA Supervisory Special Investigator Annemarie Lucas. “By making a complaint to the police or humane society in your area—you can even do so anonymously—you help ensure that animals in need are rescued and that perpetrators of animal cruelty are brought to justice.”
If you see signs of animal abuse, don’t keep it to yourself.

2) Scientists at North Carolina State University say: they have devised a method of making medical adhesives that might replace sutures and result in less post-surgical scarring. Using the natural glue that marine mussels use to stick to rocks, along with a variation on the inkjet printer, the researchers say the technology might also result in faster recovery times and increased precision for exacting operations such as eye surgery. Traditionally, there have been two ways to join tissue during surgical procedures: sutures and synthetic adhesives. But the new research shows adhesive proteins found in the "glue" produced by marine mussels might be an improvement over synthetic adhesives because they are non-toxic and bio-degradable. Associate Professor Roger Narayan, the study's co-author, said the new medical adhesives give surgeons greater control of the placement of adhesives. "This helps ensure that the tissues are joined together in just the right spot, forming a better bond that leads to improved healing and less scarring," said Narayan. The study, performed in collaboration with Professor Jon Wilker, is to be published in the April issue of the Journal of Biomedical Materials Research.

If this adhesive gains general usage, it might be very beneficial in veterinary medicine as well. Any dog or cat owner who has brought their pet home with sutures in a wound or incision knows that the pet is persistent, if nothing else, about licking or chewing at the sutures.

3) Scientists Develop Canine Cancer Drug

SALT LAKE CITY (UPI) -- A U.S. scientist says he's developed a "Trojan horse" drug treatment that is showing promising results in treating dogs suffering from cancer. Joseph Bauer of the Cleveland Clinic has developed a drug called nitrosylcobalamin that has successfully battled cancer in four canines with no negative side effects. Bauer says the drug might lead to a new cancer treatment for humans. "The beauty of using a dog or a cat to test a cancer drug is two-fold. First, the animal can get the benefit of the most up-to-date drug in cancer medicine," said Bauer. "Second … if you can find an agent to treat cancer that occurs in a dog with success, there is a higher likelihood you can take that to the human population and have a much higher response rate than with mice." The drug targets cancer cells with "biological Trojan horse technology." Bauer said cells have receptors for vitamin B12 on their outer surface. In order to divide at their abnormally rapid pace, cancer cells grow extra B12 receptors -- 100 times more than normal cells. Bauer and his colleagues attach nitric oxide molecules to vitamin B12. The nitric oxide kills cancer cells. The B12 acts as the "Trojan horse," easily slipping into cancer cells. The subsequent release of nitric oxide kills the cancer cells from within. The team's goal is to move the drug into human trials as soon as possible. The research was presented this week in Salt Lake City during a national meeting of the American Chemical Society.

4) The American Animal Hospital Association has released a list of The Top 10 Cat-Friendly Cities in the USA. The list was compiled after reviewing the top 25 standard metropolitan areas for such data as cat ownership per capita, level of veterinary care, microchipping and cat-friendly local ordinances.

For the whole article, see: http://www.avma.org/press/releases/090327_CATalyst_Award.asp

DISEASES, AILMENTS, AND MEDICAL CONDITIONS

Ticks are skin parasites of most land-dwelling vertebrates wherever these animals are found. There are about 850 described species of ticks and they transmit a great variety of diseases. For the most part, this disease transmission occurs during the tick's attachment of its mouth parts to a dog, cat, human, or other vertebrate. The two most common tick-borne diseases in small animals in the USA are Borreliosis and Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever (RMSF).

Borreliosis (also known as Lyme disease) is a tick-borne, bacterial disease of domestic animals and humans in the USA, with the areas of greatest incidence including the Atlantic seaboard, upper Midwest, and Pacific coast. The Deer Tick is the main carrier of this bacterium and the risk of its transmission is highest during the spring and fall when the different stages of the tick's life cycle are seeking hosts for a blood meal. In dogs, the main signs of this disease are lameness, fever, loss of appetite, lethargy, swollen lymph nodes, and painful joints. More serious involvement of the kidneys, heart, and nervous system may follow. Diagnosis of Lyme disease is based on the history, clinical signs, laboratory data, regional considerations, and response to antibiotic therapy. There is a vaccine available, but its effectiveness and usage have been a bit controversial. In areas heavy with deer ticks, it is fairly well agreed upon that very young dogs would benefit from vaccination before having a natural exposure to the ticks.

Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever is also a disease of dogs and humans that is caused by a bacterium carried by the American Dog Tick. Because of their susceptibility to RMSF, dogs are an excellent sentinel of this infection in humans in the same geographical area. Clusters of RMSF are frequently reported in both dogs and humans. Direct transmission of RMSF from dogs to humans has not been reported, although human infection may occur following contact of abraded skin or conjunctiva with tick body fluids during the removal of engorged ticks from pets. Dogs are highly susceptible to infection with RMSF, while cats are rarely diagnosed with it. The early signs of infection in dogs are fever, loss of appetite, swollen lymph nodes, sore joints, difficulty breathing, abdominal pain, and swelling of the face or legs. There may even be some bleeding in to the whites of the eyes or the gums in more severe cases. Diagnosis requires some repeated blood tests and, once suspicion of RMSF is confirmed, the response to antibiotics is usually dramatic.

Ehrlichiosis and Babesiosis are caused by organisms that invade red blood cells (Babesia) and white blood cells (Ehrlichia) and are carried by the Brown Dog Tick. Both are seen in dogs, while only Ehrlichiosis is found in cats. Again, as with the other tick borne diseases, the signs of these diseases include loss of appetite, lethargy, stiffness and reluctance to walk, swelling of the legs, and difficulty breathing. Most of the acute infections are seen in the warmer months, with the greatest activity of the Brown Dog Tick. Chronic cases of Ehrlichiosis can be seen in dogs, with German Shepherds seemingly more predisposed. The diagnosis is made from a combination of clinical signs, blood tests, and the response to treatment with the proper antibiotic.

There is one other important tick-caused disease that is seen in dogs and children. Known by the general name of Tick Paralysis, it is an acute, progressive disease of the motor nerves caused by a nerve toxin in the saliva of any of the above-mentioned ticks. Early signs of tick paralysis include change or loss of the dog's bark, incoordination of the back legs, difficulty in breathing, and dilation (widening) of the pupils. Cats appear to be resistant to this disease. The diagnosis is confirmed by the presence of ticks combined with the sudden (12-24 hour) appearance of rear leg weakness or incoordination. The main treatment involves the removal of the ticks. The whole dog should be examined for ticks, even though most of these ticks are found around the head and neck. Long-haired dogs can present a challenge in locating all the ticks and the search must be diligent. Removal of all the ticks usually results in obvious improvement within 24 hours.

Prevention of these tick borne diseases revolves around the avoidance of tick-infested environments and the control of ticks on your pets. There are many effective products available for use on dogs (you need to be more selective on your cats) but they must be used religiously, carefully, and regularly during the tick season. Dog owners should check their dog daily during tick season and long-haired dogs might even benefit from a hair trim during the season. Talk with your veterinarian about the products that are available, their limitations, and their safety.

In next week's issue of Questions On Dogs and Cats, Helpful Buckeye will cover some of the other important disorders caused by parasitic mites.

NON-MEDICAL CONCERNS

There has been much talk about non-toxic products that can be used for flea and/or tick control. "The magnitude of the potential risk to public health is what makes the inclusion of such chemicals in pet products so troubling: Surveys show that as many as 50 percent of American families report using some kind of flea and tick control product on pets, subjecting untold millions of children to toxic chemicals on a daily basis. Initial research also shows that thousands of pets may be sickened or die each year as a result of chronic low-dose exposure to OPs through their flea and tick collars. Fortunately, several non-toxic alternatives to OP-laden flea and tick control products are now available. NRDC tested upwards of 125 pet-oriented flea and tick control products for its Poisons on Pets report and found less than two dozen that don't contain harmful chemical compounds. Stripe -- On formulations from Adams, Breakthru, Demize and Scratchex get high marks from NRDC for low-toxicity, while tabs (pills) from Comfortis, Program and Sentinel also make the safety grade. Hartz, which uses OPs in most of its product line, also offers some safer formulations (Spot-On, Advanced Care and Ultra Guard) for cats and kittens. These products rely on insect growth regulators, which arrest the growth and development of young fleas, rather than pesticides to simply kill them. NRDC notes, however, that even these safer formulations contain chemicals, and that all such products should be used with caution." For the rest of this article from Earth Talk, go to: http://www.azdailysun.com/articles/2009/03/23/news/local/20090323_local_193232.txt

In the final analysis, pet owners should talk about flea and tick control with their veterinarian, in addition to considering the above-mentioned alternative treatments, and then chart a course for their best chances of success in the fight against fleas and ticks.

GENERAL INTEREST

1) "A pet's life is never long enough for those of us who love him or her. However, barring disease or trauma, today's pets can live at least 10 to 12 quality years because of advances in nutrition and medical care. Of course, many pets live well past 12. Older pets have different needs and can benefit greatly from specialized care, testing and dietary planning." So begins a nice article, titled Respect Your Pet in its Golden Years, written by Dr. Tracy Acosta, a veterinarian in Biloxi, MS. For several thoughtful suggestions on how you can make your older pet's life a lot easier and more comfortable, check out the rest of Dr. Acosta's article at: http://www.azcentral.com/arizonarepublic/arizonaliving/articles/2009/02/28/20090228olderpets0228.html

From The New Yorker:

2) For a truly heart-warming story of Kiki and Adam, a service dog and a young boy affected with cerebral palsy, read this article by Sharon Peters in the USA Today: http://www.usatoday.com/life/columnist/pettalk/2009-03-24-service-dog_N.htm

3) There was an interesting story in the USA Today this week about a study being conducted on the sled dogs that participate in the Iditarod races in Alaska. The study, being headed by a scientist at Oklahoma State University, is centered on how the energy efficiency of these dogs might be related to diabetes and obesity problems in humans. To read the whole article, go to: http://www.usatoday.com/news/health/2009-03-24-dogs-diabetes_N.htm

4) For our humorous addition this week, we turn to an anonymous contributor for this tongue-in-cheek version of how to bathe a cat:

1. Thoroughly clean the toilet.

2. Add the required amount of shampoo to the toilet water, and have both lids lifted.

3. Obtain the cat and soothe him while you carry him towards the bathroom.

4. In one smooth movement, put the cat in the toilet and close both lids you may need to stand on the lid so that he cannot escape).CAUTION:Do not get any part of your body too close to the edge, as his paws will be reaching out for any purchase they can find.

5. Flush the toilet three or four times. This provides a "power wash and rinse" which I have found to be quite effective.

6. Have someone open the door to the outside and ensure that there are no people between the toilet and the outside door.

7. Stand behind the toilet as far as you can, and quickly lift both lids.

8. The now-clean cat will rocket out of the toilet, and run outside where he will dry himself.

Sincerely, The DOG

5) Wolves come in gray, white and, in North America, black. Where did those unusual black coats originate? Scientists from Stanford University and elsewhere compared the DNA of wolves from the Canadian Arctic and Yellowstone National Park with the DNA of coyotes and dogs. The black coat gene, the researchers found, appears to have come from dogs. Some North American wolves likely interbred with domesticated dogs, now extinct, that accompanied people who crossed the Bering Strait from Asia more than 10,000 years ago. Smithsonian, April 2009.... From the New Yorker:

6) Since we already talked about the springtime emergence of mosquitoes, this new piece of research might be of benefit to our readers. If you are able to wear clothing that looks like this: you might be able to avoid being bitten by so many mosquitoes. It seems that mosquitoes are attracted to the color blue twice as much as to any other color...and there isn't much blue in this pattern!

7) If you are in need of deodorizing your pet's bedding, perhaps you should try this simple tip from the folks at Dryel: http://www.realsimple.com/home-organizing/cleaning/8-surprising-household-deodorizers-10000001590426/page7.html From the New Yorker: SPORTS NEWS

Well, for Helpful Buckeye, the college basketball season is over, at least as far as personal rooting interest is concerned. The Pitt Panthers ran into a well-coached, hard-playing team in Villanova and we just weren't good enough on that particular day to get it done. For the Final Four, the favorites here will be Villanova and Michigan State. In the age old story of the hammer and the nail, the Pitt Panthers were the hammer for most of the season, even including a stint in the #1 spot. However, as the NCAA tournament progressed, the Panthers became the nail! The Los Angeles Dodgers will be finishing up spring training this week on a high note of expectation for a great season. Manny Ramirez seems to be healthy again and the patchwork pitching staff appears to be better than expected. Our defense of the National League West Division champ begins a week from Monday!

The San Antonio Spurs have finally gotten their starting lineup back together after several key injuries. Everybody knows that the NBA season really doesn't start until mid-April and the Spurs should be hitting their best stride by then. Most fans expect a Lakers/Cavaliers final, but....

PERSONAL STUFF

Mark Twain had this to say about April Fools Day: "This is the day upon which we are reminded of what we are on the other three hundred and sixty-four."--From Pudd'nhead Wilson's Calendar

Don't let yourself be caught out on a hoax this Wednesday!!! ~~The goal of this blog is to provide general information and advice to help you be a better pet owner and to have a more rewarding relationship with your pet. This blog does not intend to replace the professional one-on-one care your pet receives from a practicing veterinarian. When in doubt about your pet's health, always visit a veterinarian.~~

South Actress Anushka eXclusive Photos

Sherya In eXclusive Shots :Cybershot Captures

Sherya In eXclusive Shots :Cybershot Captures

Freida Pinto may be the next bond girl

We just read Danny Boyle denying his involvement with a slew of upcoming film projects. And now, file his “Slumdog Millionaire” star, Freida Pinto, into the rumor mill as the next Bond girl.

From across the pond, Britain’s The Sun is reporting that Pinto has been invited to a screen test for the next James Bond movie, tentatively titled “Bond 23.” Their source reports, “Freida came to the attention of the Bond team when they were casting ‘Quantum of Solace.’ She was too young at the time to have a part as a love interest for a secret agent.”

But apparently, in just two years, the star has grown up enough and just happened to star in one of the biggest films of the year. Oh, it won Best Picture, too. It comes as no surprise that Bond producers want Pinto in their next spy thriller. Ok, I’m biting.

However, the article continues to run with an already debunked rumor of Danny Boyle helming the next spy thriller. The source continues, “Danny Boyle is favourite to take the helm of the next movie, which would increase Freida’s chances of a starring role.”

You don’t have to tell this Bond fan how cool it would be to have Freida Pinto firing at jumpsuit-wearing cronies in a volcanic, underground lair. And if she’s been of interest to producers for the past two years, then I would say she’s the high contender. But at this point, when it’s as likely as Boyle being the next director, we might want to chalk this up as crazy rumor.

What do you think Bond-philes? Would you like to see Freida Pinto sipping martinis with our favorite spy? Or can we put this dossier away? Share your thoughts below!

 

Genelia D’souza On Cover of ‘Seventeen’

Genelia Dsouza was all over the place a few months back, when Jaane Tu Ya Jaane Na, witnessed a smash hit. She paired opposite the brand newteenage sensation Imran Khan in Jaane Tu Ya Jaane Na.

The latest edition of Seventeen brings the ever smiling beauty Genelia onthe cover. In this edition of Seventeen, she makes some true cofessions.

She also speaks about the wildest thing that she has done. Besides all these, one can also get a glimpse of the “real Genelia” in this issue.

She was all over the place a few months and weeks ago, courtesy the smash hit Jaane Tu…Ya Jaane Na, in which she was paired opposite the brand newteenage sensation Imran Khan! We are indeed talking about the one and onlyGenelia D’Souza, whose smiling away to glory on the cover of the fashion mag Seventeen. The cover itself is effervescent enough for the reader to judge what one can find inside the mag.

You can find the quotes (read ‘confessions’) like “They called me Mowgli in college for the longest time ever!!!”, “The one thing that I have learnt from a race or a match is that you have only one take to make it” etc… She also speaks about the wildest thing that she has done and the meaning of her name (which many still do not know, we bet). Besides all these, you can also get a glimpse of the ‘real-life Genelia’ in this issue.

Get your hands on this issue if you are a Genelia fan. Even if you are not, then, this issue will surely make you one!

Vidya Balan goes Hot: Does intimate scenes

 Vidya Balan has given some really intimate scenes in Vishal Bhardwaj’s Ishkiyan. All her hot scenes in the film are with Arshad Warsi. Vidya play’s a slightly grey character in the film who fools the uncle-nephew jodi of Naseeruddin Shah and Arshad Warsi.

A unit source reveals, “She indeed has quiet a few hot love making sequences in the film but the scenes have been aesthetically shot.

Vishal Bharadwaj is simply too glad with the way the actress has performed her act in the film without any inhibitions.

But this is not the first time that the actress has done such scenes. She had been sensuous in her debut venture Parineeta earlier as well and in Heyy Babyy too with Akshay Kumar.”

In Ishkiyan Vidya is playing a very complex character and will be seen speaking the U.P dialect which is very akin to Vishal Bharadwaj’s movies. She also has a very different look in the film. She will certainly take away accolades after the release reveal unit sources.

Vidya’s career too seems to be on an all new high now. It has been heard that the actress has also been signed for Nikhil Advani’s Chandbhai opposite Akshay Kumar.

The film is a tough love story set in a juvenile detention facility. She will also be seen working with two legendary actors - Naseeruddin Shah in Ishqiyan and Amitabh Bachchan in Balki’s Pa and Sanjay Leela’s Chenab Gandhi.

Aishwarya Rai upset on Priyanka Chopra

Aishwarya Rai Bachchan is a bit upset with fellow actor Priyanka Chopra, when she in her winning speech regarded Ash as beautiful but did not mention anything about her acting talent.

Priyanka, who won the Filmfare Best Actress award for Fashion said that she was very happy to be nominated (Fashion, Dostana) among the likes of beautiful Aishwarya Rai (Jodhaa Akbar) and the talented Kajol (U, Me Aur Hum).

Reports suggest that Priyanka’s statement did not go well with Ash, who is a winner of many national and international awards.

Priyanka is currenlty riding high on the success of Fashion and Dostana. The actress will soon be seen in Vishal Bharadwaj’s Kaminay opposite Shahid Kapur.

Forget Angelina Jolie, Preity Zinta adopts 34 girls

Preity Zinta has gone for the conditional adoption of 34 orphans from the Mother Miracle school in Rishikesh.

Reluctant to speak Preity Zinta says, “It’s true. I’ve adopted these 34 girls. I’ll be looking after their entire upbringing from education to food, clothes, etc. You’ve no idea how wonderful it feels to hear the excited chatter of all those girls together as they welcome you into their lives. Believe you me, it’s the best birthday song I’ve ever heard.”

Preity doesn’t intend to be a sleeper parent for the girls at the Mother Miracle. “No way! Those are my children now, my responsibility. I’ll be constantly connected with them and I’ll visit them in Rishikesh twice a year.”

Far from finishing off her responsibility after financing these girl children, Preity plans to progressively enhance her social responsibilities.

“For a while now I’ve been thnking of what to do to help the less privileged classes specially the girl child. The horrors of foeticide and rampant child abuse are not just screaming news headlines for me. They’re voices that scream from inside me.

And I had to listen to them. These 34 girls are just a beginning. I plan to adopt a couple more every year during my birthday. I can’t think of a better gift to myself.”

Meet the glamarous Deepika Padukone

 Bollywood Actress Deepika Padukone has had a dream-run in Bollywood with just three releases, but the model-turned-actress says her dream is to play the elegant Audrey Hepburn, her style icon.

“I would like to play Audrey Hepburn, my style icon, in movies like ‘Breakfast at Tiffany’s’ or ‘Roman Holiday’, ” Deepika told on the sidelines of the Wills India Fashion Week (WIFW) Saturday, where she walked the ramp for Ranna Gill and Rina Dhaka’s collections sponsored by luxury brand Fiama Di Wills.

After debuting opposite Shah Rukh Khan in 2007 hit “Om Shanti Om” and doing “Chandni Chowk To China” with Akshay Kumar, Deepika’s next is “Love Aaj Kal” alongside Bollywood Actor Saif Ali Khan. And she is all praise for filmmaker Imtiaz Ali of “Jab We Met” fame.

“I enjoyed working with Imtiaz Ali in his movie ‘Love Aaj Kal’, where he cast me opposite Saif. It was a dream working for a sensitive director like him. Imtiaz just seemed to know the kind of person we were and brought out the best in us. He guided all through the movie, ” said the leggy beauty who was dressed in a simple black halter-neck.

Deepika is now looking forward to begin work for newcomer Vijay Lalwani’s “Kartik Calling Kartik”, which also stars actor-director Farhan Akhtar and Boman Irani. “It is an offbeat movie, a psychological thriller. But I am not going to talk much about it, ” she said.

The actress admits she has a soft corner for action movies, though all genres appeal to her.

“An action movie is something I have always wanted to do, but I cannot specify any real genre that appeals to me. Cinema today is changing. And as an actor, I will never throw my hands up… will never be happy saying this is the best character I have portrayed. I am critical of myself, rarely happy, ” said Deepika.

As Indian cinema changes to adapt new formats and contents, Deepika Padukone feels the role of women in cinema is also changing.

“It is becoming more challenging. Even in the past, there were movies where women did not have to run around trees. An actress could opt to show off her talent.”

People, she explained, have this strange notion that if a woman wears make-up, she cannot be taken seriously.

“Take off your make-up and only then you can do serious cinema. But glamorous roles and a glamorous screen presence do not make one a non-actor. The content of cinema is also changing, evolving… it is no longer the regular boy meets girl, ” the actress said.

Deepika Padukone usually decides on the projects she takes up after reading the scripts.

“The movies are my call though I run my parents through what I am doing. But they are new to movies, hence unfamiliar. But after ‘Om Shanti Om’ and ‘Bachna Aai Haseeno’, I have matured, ” she said.

The actress confesses that she is not much of a bookworm. “But I am reading the ‘Kite Runner’ now and it might turn out to be the best book I have ever read. I have grown up listening to all kinds of music - from Kishore da to Mohammed Rafi, ” she said.

Deepika Padukone, who is former badminton player Prakash Padukone’s daughter, says she was good in other sports besides badminton as well.

“Apart from badminton, I played state-level basketball, baseball and was an athlete, ” she said.

I didn’t kick Shah Rukh off his pedestal says Aamir

Bollywood Actor Aamir Khan, joined CNN’s special edition of ‘TALK ASIA’ filmed in front of a live studio audience in Mumbai, where he shared with host Anjali Rao his opinion on leading Bollywood actors, his sentiments on the Mumbai terror attacks and more.

CNN ’TALK ASIA’ with Aamir Khan will be aired first on Wednesday, March 25 at 1800hrs IST and repeat telecast on Saturday, March 28 at 1000hrs and 2000hrs IST.

Anjali Rao: It’s a real pleasure to have you with us today so thanks so much for making yourself available again. Your most recent film Ghajini is now the biggest Bollywood success ever. Did you have any idea that it would be quite as huge as it is?

Aamir Khan: You can hope that, you can hope that for all of your films. But you can never really tell until you see the film with the audience, how it’s going to play with the audience in the theatre.


So I think in Ghajini what we set out to make we were in fact able to achieve that. I realised that I’m making a hardcore mainstream film after really long, which is fine. I guess I’m happy to do that.

Anjali Rao: After this movie made it so big, people said that you were the real ‘King Khan’.

And that you’d kicked off Shah Rukh off his perch because he appeals to the masses but you’ve managed to do this thing that loads of actors would love to do.

In that you’ve had both critical and commercial success in spades. How do you do that? How do you stop from being pigeon-holed in one box or another?

Aamir Khan: Well, you know, I just do work which excites me and which I enjoy doing. I just do work which makes me happy. And I have absolutely no intentions of kicking Shah Rukh off his pedestal. Though I have to say I don’t think he ever was on it.

But in my opinion, the actor who I really look up to is Mr Amitabh Bachchan. He is someone who’s work I really like and he’s a fantastic actor and the kind of stardom that Mr Bachchan has seen none of us can ever hope to see. So for me, he’s the guy.

Anjali Rao: You’re not only a major actor but you also had your directorial debut in Taare Zameen Par. What was it like for you switching to the other side of the camera, at the same time obviously and starring in it?

Aamir Khan: It was tough, mainly because I wasn’t meant to direct the film to begin with. So I kind of jumped in a week into the shoot. I just went with my gut. Actually, I didn’t even have time to think, quite honestly.

And now when I look back, I realise that I had reached a point in my career where I had been wanting to direct a film for really long, and the pressure kept keeping me away from it. The fact that it happened this way didn’t give me a chance to think and decide, you know.

I just jumped into it because I had to, and I ended up making the film, you know, to the best of my abilities. So I didn’t really, you know maybe if I hadn’t done that I wouldn’t be directing for the next 10 years more, I don’t know.

So I guess I’m glad it happened finally because I’m happy with the way the film turned out and I’m happy with the way the kind of impact it had on people.

Anjali Rao: Slumdog Millionaire was a huge eye opener, I think, but you know for all the accolades that it got around the world, there were plenty here in India who slammed it. What did you think of it?

Aamir Khan: It didn’t touch me personally. Emotionally, it didn’t do anything for me. And I suspect it is because I am not used to watching Indians speak English. So you know, all these slum kids talking in English, and the cop…I find it very strange. It didn’t work for me because of that problem.

Anjali Rao: You were extremely vocal in your blog about what was happening (when Mumbai was struck by terror). Just take us through what was going on with you personally during that time.

Aamir Khan: Well, it was really devastating. I mean it was like a nightmare, I couldn’t believe it was happening. And it was also very shocking to see, you know, the audacity with which these attacks were carried out.

All the lives that were lost and so many thoughts going through my head at that time.

And it was really sad that I mean we live in a day and age today where there all over the world there are people, certain number of people at least, who feel that this is how they want to make a point, or want to be heard, or want to hit back, by killing innocent people.

Anjali Rao: Certainly you were speaking to the government in part in your blogs as well, by you know, saying not to negotiate with terrorists. But you also seemed quite critical of what the leadership was doing at the time. Is that how you felt?

Aamir Khan: No, I wasn’t actually. I wasn’t critical of the leadership at that time. Because I think at that time they were doing the best that they could.

But I am critical about how a number of the leaders have been using religion and cast in our politics for decades now. And that only, you know, polarizes people. It spreads a lot of poison and negativity in society.

Anjali Rao: What kind of a childhood did you have?

Aamir Khan: Well, fairly standard actually. I think my parents looked after us very well. We had a fairly sheltered life. I mean my parents were really against me getting into films. I come from a film family.

My father and uncle were both filmmakers. And I faced hell at home. It was like there’s no way you’re getting into films. But I don’t usually listen to people.

I just do what I feel like. And then when they realised… actually it was more because they were concerned for me, you know. Every parent is concerned for their children.

And they had been through this line and this profession is so uncertain. You know one day you’re up there, the next day you’re nobody and… it’s a really harsh profession.

Anjali Rao: When you look back at the 1980s and 1990s, do you go you know what I’m really proud of that or do you go oh god I just want to die?

Aamir Khan: No, I just want to die. I get totally embarrassed. Usually you know when I finish a film within six months I feel eh, this is not good enough. This is where we’ve messed up, and we could’ve done this, and I’ve grown so much as an actor and I can do this much better now. I don’t like my work usually after some time. I don’t like it anymore.