Learn the cool DU lingo; speak the DU [Delhi University] way ;)

DU Dictionary Masti ki Paathshala

MEDHA SHRI, TNN,

Jun 20, 2009

..Form submission, cut-off lists, standing in queues – if you thought that admission in DU was just this, you might want to prepare yourself for a hatke education.....

Once you make it to DU, if your friends insist you treat them at KNags or to Chacha's for CBats, you wouldn't like to look baffled, right? Now, you may not come across words like KNags and CBats in any dictionary, but nonetheless, if you don't know these words by the time you enter the college campus, you may feel a little out of place. Allow DT to update you on the univ lingo...

Univ

Meaning: Delhi University. University of Delhi, isn't that a lengthy name? Univ is more like it – short and cool.

Usage: I'm going to the Univ office dude, wanna tag along?

Campus

Meaning: North Campus. While campus is a generic term in DU, the word means only and only Nor

th Campus

. Make no mistake of calling the South Campus by the same name.

Usage: Heard the Campus has some cool hangouts, let's check them out.

KNags

Meaning: Kamla Nagar. One of the hippest markets near the Campus. KNags is your one-stop complex for books, branded clothes and even a small flea market.

Usage: Let's catch up at KNags in the evening.

CBats

Meaning: Cho

le Bhature; Eating Chole Bhature is so out of fashion. Cool people eat CBats.

Usage: I have a craving for CBats today, let's go to Chacha's. (Chacha ke CBats are pretty famous in the Univ)

GJams

Meaning: Gulab Jamuns. After CBats, if your sweet tooth is nagging you, what better way to indulge than by gorging on some GJams? And for god's sake, don't call them Gulab Jamuns!

Usage: I need some sugar fix, people, wanna go for some GJams?

Soc (pronounced as Sock)

Meaning: A cultural or departmental group which is called a society. Once you are in the univ, you'd have to be a part of a dance, music or literary Soc.

Usage: I'm planning to join the Lit Soc (literary society).

Res

Meaning: The college hostels are popularly called Res, probably a short form of residents. Also, a resident of the college hostel is called a Res.

Usage: It's cool to be a Res, you kinda rule the college!

Amma

Meaning: Hostel warden – never mind the gender. It's not because they remind you of your mother, but hostel wardens are generally referred to as Amma as they keep a check on the students and try to make sure that the res follow rules.

Usage: Hide those bottles dude, Amma is on her way.

Vella

Meaning: A person who has nothing to do in life and is simply whiling away time. Vellagiri, the act of being Vella.

Usage: I have started a Vella Soc in college, a non-official Soc, for other Vellas like me.

CATing

Meaning: If you are preparing for CAT then you are CATing.

Usage: Are you CATing this year? (Are you planning to take CAT exam this year?)

Dope-chi

Meaning: A person who takes drugs or who looks like s/he takes drugs. A shabby hairdo (which is the in-thing at the Univ these days), black or grey T shirt, dark thick kajal (for girls), chappals, and a gait that says 'Whatever, man!' are the traits that mark a Dope-chi. Most of them are loners, who like to keep to themselves and are rock music fans. Forgive us for the generalisation.

Usage: He is a Dope-chi yaar, he's lost in his own world.

BTMs (short for Behenji-Turned-Mod)

Meaning: Girls who were behenjis by DU standards when they were freshers but have undergone a sea change over the years. However, a DU student says, it's not too hard to trace BTMs in the campus as they still speak with their native accent. Also, their attitude is a dead giveaway.

Usage: That girlfriend of yours looks like a typical BTM. Did you notice the synthetic fruity top that she wore to the classroom yesterday? Please dump her for Jes' (as in Jesus') sake.

Biyatch

Meaning: Distorted version of B**ch. This word comes in handy when you have to abuse a good friend of yours, pyar se. What's more, the term can be used for both boys and girls. You obviously can't call your friend a b**ch, right?

Usage: You are such a Biaytch, why didn't you tell me you were going to wear a black top? Now, we both look like identical twins.

Dramchi

Meaning: A drama queen or a melodramatic person, also, someone who cooks up stories.

Usage: You are such a Dramchi! I'm not going to share my notes with you.

Yava

Meaning: It's something like embarrassment. Whenever you find yourself in a situation when you don't know what to do, or when someone asks you some embarrassing question, the answer for which you don't have, or when someone pulls your leg and you don't know how to react, you become Yava.

Usage: My friend's mom asked me if I have a girlfriend in front of my professor. Mai toh Yava ho gaya, yaar.

Khapeter

Meaning: When you fall short of words to describe someone who's very mischievous, you simply call him or her a Khapeter.

Usage: My teacher asked for my assignment. And I told her that I'd forgotten my register in the hostel. But this friend of mine is such a Khapeter, he took out the register from my desk and asked loudly, 'Are you looking for this register, dude? I got so Yava in front of the entire class.

Here are few more words that would come in handy when you are in DU:

Jahnkees: People who overdress and especially boys who wear ekdum tight shirt and faded lose pants and sport bleached hair.

Ricks: For rickshaws

Sutta: For cigarettes, joints and dope

Adda: Hangouts

The Virgin Tree Pooja at Hindu College, Delhi University

Invoking Damdami Mata!

By Medha Shri. This year, the V-Day puja at Hindu College took place on February 13 instead of 14. The tree was decorated with condoms and red balloons; with Priyanka Chopra adorning the Virgin Tree as Damdami Mai

MEDHA SHRI Times News Network

This year, Valentine’s came as a relief to many students in the campus. Wondering why? Arre being a Sunday, they didn’t have to cook up excuses to bunk classes or shirk work to meet their beloved. But this very fact called for an emergency meeting in Hindu College, the problem was big – who will attend the famous traditional Damdami Mai ki puja at the Virgin tree, except for the hostellers on a Sunday? So, it was decided that the V-Day celebrations will take place on Feb 13 instead, and therefore, everyone gathered under the famous Virgin Tree to seek the blessings of the love deity.
This year, the puja was also special – unlike in the past few years – the tree was decorated not just with balloons and Damdami Mai’s posters, but also condoms! Actually, this was an age-old tradition, that was discontinued, and now, was revived this year. 

The title of Damdami Mai or Damdami Mata was bestowed upon Priyanka Chopra, for she has given several hits and made many hearts beat faster last year. But more importantly, it was because “her posters were easily available in Kamla Nagar,” as Vibhor Tyagi, a third year student said, that she became the Mai. Though he added, “She has the oomph factor as well.”
As per the rituals, the current Mr Fresher, Piyush Singh was given the important responsibility of conducting the puja. So, Piyush became the panditji, and appeared on the scene wearing a dhoti and kurta, which he told us, was arranged by his seniors. 

There was a wave of excitement amongst the students. The third year students kept a strict vigil for any signs of teachers or pyaar ke dushmans as the students call them, coming that way.
The panditji was greeted with shouts of ‘Damdami Mata ki jai!’ and soon the ritual of invoking the love goddess began. Led by Piyush, everyone sang the aarti to seek Mata’s blessings, so that everyone gets at least one boyfriend/girlfriend. Once the aarti was over, the panditji offered prasad to Priyanka and distributed it among all the student shradhalus. Red holy threads were tied on the wrists of all the dedicated followers, while the Damdami Mai’s jaikara rang in the background. 

Piyush said, “I had heard so much about the puja, that I was actually looking forward to conducting it. And interestingly this year we had condoms too. That was fun.” When asked if his parents know about this ritual or if he will tell them that he conducted the rites, he said, “No, they don’t. And I won’t tell them either.” He had no clue as to why Priyanka was given the title of Damdami Mai.
Where did the idea of decorating the tree with condoms come from this year? “See, this is how it is supposed to be done. But the third year students are supposed to take all the risk – as in face the music from the teachers if they ever catch us. Iss baar ke third years ne socha, dekha jayega jo hoga, but let’s not compromise on the rituals,” says a third-year student. Vibhor added, “We wanted to do the Virgin Tree puja following the tradition as closely as possible. That’s where the condoms came in, as they were part of the original ritual.” So, why were there no bhang ladoos, then? They are a part of the ritual too, we pointed out. “We are saving all the bhang for Holi,” answered Vibhor. He also told us that the funds for the puja is donated by all the hostellers, “Jiski Damdami Mata mein jitni shradha hai, s/he donates that much,” he said. 

Once the puja was over, everyone dispersed happily. An elated Neha, a first year, says, “This is so cool. I attended the puja, as I had heard so much about it. Now I will tell all my friends about this. They had been asking me so many questions about the V Tree puja.” 

Kristen Stewart, Bella Swan, Twilight

'It was immature of Rob to propose to me’

... says Twilight star Kristen Stewart in a chat with DT about Robert Pattinson’s proposal, their friendship, and being envied by female fans while walking next to him. Read on ..
MEDHA SHRI, Times News Network
You started off as an actor when you were eight years old. Do you think you missed out on childhood?
No. I don’t think so. My family has always been in to the entertainment world, and I liked acting since childhood. I used to actively participate in school plays as well. I loved films because I always wanted to tell tales and when I use to switch on the TV, I wanted to be there. So I enjoyed my childhood.

You couldn’t complete schooling. Do you wish to study further? What would you like to pursue, and in which University?
I’m not going to school or college as of now, because I can’t take the educational structure, but I’m not going to stop learning. May be some time later, I might go to University of Sydney as my mom is from Australia.

You have earlier said, “Star’s life is a false reality.” Why do you say that?
Stardom is fleeting and annoying sometimes. It is what everyone wants, but I want to be an actor first. I think stardom does attack one’s personal life, but I’m happy with my life because I still live an ordinary one. I hang out with friends, go out for walks, enjoy weekends when I get time, and celebrate birthdays of friends and family. So I haven’t let stardom take over my personal life. I have always tried to segregate both.

If you had to describe your real self, how would you?
I am like you or any other normal person. I like reading books. I love writing. I love films, and I do go and watch the films on theatres with my friends, like anyone else. I love Music. I love classic rock a lot. I love composing and singing and strumming my guitar when free, and now I am learning piano too. Over all, I am a girl who knows her ambitions and goals, and the correct path to achieve the same. I have no regrets.

How do you deal with rumours?
I don’t care about rumours much, but if it gets too personal – which has happened a couple of times – I feel bad and helpless, for deep inside, I know that it is all fake and harming my image, and when I am reading and watching it, I feel like it should just stop then and there, and people must know that it’s not true. So, I better let it go and luckily questions in interviews like this one pops up and I get a chance to clear my stand and tell the world what actually is the truth.

You also have a keen interest in writing. Would you want to write scripts or direct a movie?
I do want to work on writing, because it’s a skill after all, and my passion too. I want to make books. I want to take pictures, and then write all over the pictures. And then, I don’t have to say a complete story, because I have the picture, and I have just a word. So yeah, I have started writing, you can say, and I am doing that along with a friend. No plans for direction though. I am fine at what I do the best – acting and writing.

Music is also one of your hobbies. Will you be singing in any of your movies?
Yes it is, and favourite indeed. Well that’s one thing which also bonded me and Rob (Robert Pattinson) on the sets, and we became very nice friends. He is a cool musician and he just rocked the stage. I recall many instances when we use to beat our stress out, playing music like rock stars. It was like a rejuvenating experience all the time, and would end with appraisals from the crew. Singing professionally – I don’t know, I want to try, but after I have done a couple of more huge projects like Twilight… lets see. Though I am doing a bit in The Runaways, and did a little in Intohen I do ed.

You must have been mobbed by fans often. Do you remember any weird fan encounters?
There hasn’t been any such instance which would be weird. But I think, when I am with
Rob for promotions, the female fans are jealous I guess, and it shows. All of them want to meet him, and have a taste of his byte on their necks, which Rob rejects, so they must be like envying actually.
However in another instance, when Rob was off to Japan, me and Taylor were in Brazil, so I remember, a guy was chasing us badly and not for me or Taylor, he was instead shouting Robert.. Robert, and that too in such a weird accent, I can’t really explain. And then, I saw him and started laughing at him so bluntly. He must have felt bad, but then I couldn’t control myself. Taylor just took me away, and joined me laughing like mad. Oh my god, it was so so funny.. I told Rob, and would you believe it, all of us went on rolling and laughing for 15 long minutes.


No, I am not at all dating Rob. He did propose to me, but it didn’t work out. I guess it was premature of him to propose me. He felt the same way when we discussed. However, we are very good friends, and I don’t know how wrongly our relationship has been portrayed in the media. Look, we are very close buddies, but no way are we going around. If there was something such we wouldn’t hide it from the world.

What do you look for in a boyfriend?
An understanding person would do, for I might have become a star in people’s perception, but I am still a normal girl like I was before. I still love going out on walks, after the shoot. That’s why, instead of going to the hotel, I am set on for walks most of the time.

Which are your favourite actors?
It has to be Jodie Foster, whom I looked up to in my childhood and early teens. She’s not just an actress, she’s a director, a producer and a writer too. You don’t see her much in the press. She’s very, very well respected, very professional. I am lucky enough to have worked with her in Panic Room. I also admire Evan Rachel Wood a lot. Among males, I just love Heath Ledger. He is a superb actor. Now I am proud to say that my list of favourite actors also includes Robert Pattinson post the Twilight franchise.

Is there a particular status or position you aspire to achieve?
I don’t want to be like anyone. I never want to be a superstar like an Angelina Jolie. I am an actor, that is what I would prefer myself to refer to as. I would be happy if people don’t compare me to anyone. I would love to establish my originality as an actor.

Do you plan to visit India anytime soon? What do you know about India?
Not sooner, but yeah, for sure some time in near future as I am really very fond of travelling. I believe in going places and enriching knowledge for that is actually the best way to educate oneself. I know about the films there, with songs and the popularity – which is so amazing. Then it is the Indian food I have heard of, especially the pulses and spices. And yeah, the yoga of course.

Have you been offered any films in Bollywood?
No, no offers yet.

Would you like to act in one of the Bollywood flicks? Have you seen any Bollywood film?
I don’t mind doing Indian films, as I love experimenting. But just like my clothes, you know when I try new clothes, it has to be elegant, so has to be the film. I don’t want to do just another film outside Hollywood. It should be a nice film with some decent actors and a powerful story. And yah, I have seen East Is East.

So are you and Robert Pattinson dating each other?

Irrfan Khan is super cool; he talks about Mallika Sherawat, Hisss Movie, Alleged Kiss with Diya Mirza and more...

Irrfan-Diya kiss for intensity!

MEDHA SHRI, TNN 2 September 2009, 12:00am IST

Irrfan Khan says that he’s been trying, since he started acting, to avoid being typecast.

And he seems to have been able to do something completely out of his usual character this time around! How else would you justify his presence on a reality show like Roadies? “I love adventure. I love travelling. I’m becoming a part of the show to promote healthy challenge. I will introduce some twist and turns that will make it a mental and physical challenge.” he says, adding, “My son was thrilled to know that I was getting associated with the show, I’m doing this for him.”

Well, while the actor steps into the realm of reality TV, his real-like portrayal of reel characters have always been talked about. And having made a name for himself, is there a role that he wants to play now? “There are so many characters that I would like to play, but right now I would want to play a romantic character,” he says, breaking away from the image that he has of a serious actor. “As a child I grew up watching romantic films, that romance I thought was not real. I’m talking about the romance that movies in earlier times used to show, that rosy romance. I grew up watching those rosy romances on screen that stayed with me. And now, I want to portray that on screen. I would want to play a character in a rosy romance,” he elaborates.

Talking of romance and romantic gestures, we ask him about the kiss he allegedly planted on Diya Mirza’s lips recently while shooting for a film, when the script only required him to kiss her on the cheek. “I don’t know what you’re talking about,” he says nonchalantly, but adds, “I don’t remember this incident, but I think intensity dikhane ke liye aisa hua hoga shayad!”

Irrfan is known to have done a large number of Hollywood films, and his next one with Mallika Sherawat playing a snake woman has already created a lot of buzz, so is he apprehensive of Mallika stealing the limelight from him, in her quintessential style? “I don’t think Mallika can steal the limelight here,” but she has done that in the past, we remind him. “That’s her game, I’m not bothered. I communicate something deeper to the audience, it has a recall value,” stresses Irrfan. And does he think that the SRK detention episode at a US airport had anything to do with his surname? “Well, it’s difficult to say why they detain people. Even I have been detained. But, one never gets to know the reason,” he says. But he’s India’s face in Hollywood, how does he react to that? “Well, that makes me very happy,” he signs off cheerfully.

Two Julia Roberts - Spot the difference

I’m Julia too!

MEDHA SHRI, TNN 19 October 2009, 12:00am IST


Charlotte Johnstone got to do just that, when she doubled for Julia Roberts in her movie, Eat, Pray, Love, while it was being shot in and around 

Charlotte

Pataudi recently. She shot several scenes filling in for her.
In fact, the onlookers were eager to catch a glimpse of Charlotte, thinking she was Julia. She told DT that “it was an amazing experience.”
Says Charlotte, “There’s still colour in my hair. One of the requirements to get the role was to dye my hair to look just like Julia’s.” And how did she manage to bag such a coveted role? “Gurmeet Kaur, the casting 
director of Sahib productions, selected my pictures. They needed somebody who was her height and build.”
 Did she get a chance to meet Julia then? “I did get to speak to her, but very little. All day everyday, I worked for three weeks with her, but she’s been in the business for a very long time, she maintained a professional distance. And then, when she’d be on I’d be off, when I was on she’d be off, so I had no time to meet her,” shares Charlotte, adding, “She is very sweet and extremely charming, very smiley!”

A  Hollywood star would be taken care of well, of course. Charlotte lets in, “all of Julia’s needs were taken care of. She used to hang around in the green room, keeping cool, while the rest of the team would stand in the heat!” she says, “But I think she required that. She had a very important role and she needed to be focused.”
Julia’s love for her children was quite evident, considering the amount of time the star spent with them. Charlotte only reiterates the fact, “She had an agreement that she’d work only twelve hours a day. Lots of her work is oriented around her kids. I got to see her children quite a lot actually, they’re very sweet.” Julia even kept the crew waiting once, when she came to speak to Charlotte’s children. “I once brought my children on the sets. She was very excited. She instantly rushed over and introduced herself to my children. She was to do a scene but kept the crew waiting till she could meet my kids,” says Charlotte.

Charlotte shot lots of scenes at the Hari Mandir Ashram, and the village markets. “Julia’s character arriving at the ashram, the market scenes, eating at a lounge, scrubbing the temple floor... there are lots of scenes,” she says. Though she has done bits of African movies, this was her first Hollywood flick. So will there be a ‘first Bollywood flick’ soon? “I’d love to. It’ll be fun,” is her excited reply.
Charlotte, who’s basically from England, has been staying in India for over five years now. She’s a painter and her husband has his business here. She’s been all over India and loves the country. A double cheers to that!

No local love 
Julia Roberts and the crew of Eat, Pray, Love seem to run into controversy wherever they go. While shooting in India at Pataudi, the unit had angered the local population who had alleged that they were denied entry into the temple at the Hari Mandir Ashram to worship during Navratri, while shooting for the film was going on. Now that the cast and crew of the film have moved to Bali in Indonesia, the locals there don't seem too happy either. Maybe the movie unit just needs a bit more of praying and loving!