Is Shahid Kapoor about to have a hallmark year as he turns 40 today? Family, films, Bollywood and box-office: Superstar on the horizon

 

Is Shahid Kapoor about to have a hallmark year as he turns 40 today? Family, films, Bollywood and box-office: Superstar on the horizon

Read up on Shahid at SCMP.com 

Death of an Indian Icon: A nation mourns the loss of Bollywood legend Sridevi

On this day, in the year 2018, legendary actress, star of a whopping 266 Indian films,  Sridevi died in Dubai, a case of fatal "accidental drowning," that sent seismic shockwaves through fans of Bollywood and Indian cinema.

A life-long fan, I had the distinct pleasure of interviewing the actress for a cover story for Post magazine back in 2012. 

You can read the entire feature in the archives at SCMP.com here. 

Health Post: Two Percent Fitness, gym that specialises in personal training, opens in Hong Kong

Two Percent Fitness, a gym that specialises in personal training, opens in Hong Kong after much delay caused by the pandemic lockdown. The co-founders, including celebrity James Wong, breathe a sigh of relief as the first members come in for a quick workout. 

Read the entire feature at SCMP.com here. 

Plus its out in print tomorrow morning! 
 

 

Hong Kong swimmer and star Alex Fong with his brother William Fong: Behind the scenes of a beach shoot: Wardobe by Michael Kors

The Wong bros! Hong Kong swimmer and star Alex Fong with his brother William Fong

The brothers were so brilliant - while one was being photographed, I interviewed the other. The bond, the humour, the sense of duty and filial responsibility was touching. 

Read the entire feature at PrestigeOnline. 

First Person: Behind the Scenes Video and interview with Charlotte Tsuei

 

 

For my monthly column First Person, a shoot and chat with Charlotte Tsuei. 

You can read the entire interview at PrestigeOnline.com

A fun shoot with the gifted Olivier Yoan. 

An archive of all the videos I worked on (with my dream team) here. 

Violence against Asian community is on the rise

Its a disturbing trend that not enough people are acknowledging, let alone talking about... 

Reality TV Star Abhinav Shukla at Four Seasons Mumbai: Outtake from a shoot

 

Sooooo my buddy, Indian actor Abhinav Shukla, has been trending furiously on social media - particularly Twitter - and I am new to the scene of the train-wreck of a reality show Big Boss 14, where he was just evicted. 

Many, particularly in UK, are probably aware of the format of this reality TV show, as its a part of a franchise that's been picked up around the globe. 

I need to start off by saying I haven't seen the show as am not based in India but am stunned by the clips. The screaming, crying, fighting, forced drama... I don't get it. But am glad he's out of there and peacefully back home. 

I hope the paycheck was worth it... (BTW I just googled, dayumnnn that's some serious numbers thrown at contestants - dimes compared to what the host Salman Khan is making annually). 

A decade ago, had flown down to Mumbai to do a shoot and feature on Mumbai city for a magazine - in the glory days when there was budgets to fly around Asia for shoots and features. 

Through random friend association we found new model, a young Punjabi fella, who was also working on a sitcom on TV. He strutted in to the shoot - late - but was profusely apologetic about it as his TV shoot had gone overtime. I've learned since then to never schedule any shoots in India early in the morning - unless its Akshay Kumar. 

My friend and photographer and favourite person Ayesha Broacha (wife of Cyrus Broacha, TV personality and comedian) did the shoot at the Four Seasons, Mumbai. A glorious venue. Wardrobe was a mix of East and West - eg the above look by Indian designer Narendra Kumar but the shoes were Zegna. 

It's so odd to have famous for being famous friends... At least, Abhi's a good guy. Bless his socks. 

Last when we spoke, he had 10 to 12k followers - a mostly private account that archived his adventures, nature trips, hikes, mountaineering adventures and such. One of his earlier posts this week got nearly 2 million views and counting... 

Wonder how he'll be able to monetise this newfound pan-Indian popularity... .

Watch this space.

Follow the actor/model/reality TV star on Instagram here:

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Happy freakin' Valentine's Day!

 Relatable. 

--> Thrilled. 

12 Questions with Chef Richard Ekkebus of Amber

You may have already read the cover story featuring chef Richard Ekkebus of Amber, in which he explains his new approach to fine dining — no dairy, less sugar, etc. — but that’s not all we spoke to him about. 

Here, in this exclusive online interview, Ekkebus reveals his guilty pleasure, what makes him angry in the kitchen, and much more.

Read the entire feature at Prestige Online here. 

Photography Nic Gaunt | Art Direction Bex Gaunt | Styling Tasha Ling 

Flashback Friday: Rohini Yvon in Mumbai

TBT to this shoot with Rohini Yvon in Mumbai - shot by Sayan Sur Roy. 

For a feature on luxury in India. Ro' was with Dior at the time and the French luxury brand was shaking things up in Mumbai. 

After Covid-19 paused Bollywood , Hrithik Roshan is finally back on set – so how did he become one of India’s best loved stars?

More than a year after War – his blockbuster hit with Tiger Shroff – Hrithik Roshan posted an Instagram photo of him back on set: as the actor turns 47, we take a look at his bumpy rise to fame

The pandemic might have hit pause on the Indian film industry, but luckily for us, its masked superhero is back.

Bollywood superstar Hrithik Roshan kicked off 2021 with an innocuous post – “back on set” – that sent all 33.3 million of his followers into a tizzy. And for good reason – the Indian actor is on screen back where he belongs after a year of no film releases.

As the iconic Indian actor and dancer turns 47, we take a look back at the rise, fall and re-emergence of an icon.

Read the entire feature online at SCMP here.

My interview with Hrithik Roshan in the archive here, when he was in Hong Kong, training for Krrish.

Original Spin: Upspun: Will scan-to-fit revolutinise fashion?

Will scan-to-fit tech revolutionise fashion? Sweden’s H&M brand Weekday is among the first high-street brands to offer made-to-measure clothes – get the ideal cut and reduce waste

Hong Kong’s Unspun, Gay Giano and Isabella Wren are already using the system to tailor personalised attire for men and women

Body scanners can log your measurements in a matter of minutes to ensure the perfect cut – soon you’ll be able to scan your size at home with an iPhone

Read the entire feature at SCMP here. 

Stats! Oh my god - who is reading this blog?!

 

Dear readers - whoever you are. 

Thanks for the visit but... even I don't visit this page that much!

Cheers tho'!

Rama

Video interview: Chat with Lifestyle Cafe owner Joanna Lui

 Video interview: Chat with Lifestyle Cafe owner Joanna Lui 

Friends with Benefits: First Event: Opening Night of Suicide Squad at Director's Club in Hong Kong

One of the first events I did with the magazine; booked out Director's Club for the opening of Suicide Squad... 

The then editor Christina Ko brainstormed the idea that Prestige should do mini, VIP events exclusive to the magazine and "Friends with Benefits" was born. Cheeky and chic-y. 

Pretty much hated the film but loved this awesome squad that attended;  Angie Ng, Jonathan Cheung - JC! -  Antonia Li, Ruth Chao, Ana R, Natalie Chan, Anthony Sandstrom, Jocelyn Luko Sandstrom, Amanda Lui, Alexander Lui, 

Summer of 2016

Thirst Post: On set with actor and model (and personal trainer) James Wong: Hong Kong Celeb

On set with James Wong for First Person feature/column. 

The interview and shoot is on the magazine's official site.  

Well, its Caturday.

 After the posts got a note from a friend, forget that. Post more cat pics. Um. ok then! 

House cat, Billyjean. 

Named after fav Michael Jackson song. 

Mental Health Awareness: Should be a daily exercise

 Trending on social media... Had to repost. 

Friday Fashion Flashback: Rooftop of Shama

 

Shreya Sen, Nickey Khem, for Fine n Rhine back in the day. Photography by Hyvis Tong. 

TBT: Photographer Jeff Hahn

 

Littl' Jeff - as we knew him. Now an acclaimed photographed based in UK. 

I've discovered... that's a lie... I've met so many talents who went on to great careers in the Kong. Gotta give the young opportunity, a diving board to the great big leap of faith. 

TBT: Gerrit Ruetzel

 

TBT: Gerrit Tuetzel when he was in Hong Kong. Now the CEO of the Americas at Bottega Veneta. 

Always a great chat for features. 

Time for a chat again Gerrit! 

Photographer: Douglas Pieterse 

TBT: Jun Tyler: Model turned Pianist: Eurasian star

 

Outtakes from a shoot with Jun Tyler for South China Morning Post. For the column. 

Earlier had shot Jun for a magazine cover shoot / series. 

What a switch! He was one of the biggest stars in the industry as top Eurasian model. 

Follow him on social media below: 

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Fav Illustrator in Hong Kong: Pirate

 Interviews, art, video, love working with Pirate! 

 Outtakes above with Dino Busch. 

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A post shared by piratetb (@piratetb)