Kamal Haasan's fans now have another reason to rejoice – next year the actor completes 50 years in the industry. However, the actor, who has mesmerised audiences with his intense acting and larger-than-life persona, says he wanted to become a technician.

"Film-makers like K Balachnader told me that I won't be able make much money by being a technician. So the end result is that the star Kamal funds the technician Kamal in perusing his dreams," he says.

At a recent event in Mumbai the audience also got a hint of his sense of humour when he joked, "When I am told I am larger-than-life, I know I am just 5.8 and a half."

Tell us something about your training for Jhalak Dikhhla Jaa.

I work out for 2-3 hours daily. I have shed some three kilos. Taking part in this show has helped my health too.

You are almost 60 now. Do you think age will be limiting to your performance?

I will give my level best. I'm participating to have fun and taste this new domain.

You were an aggressive person on the field. Will we see sparks flying here too?

If I don't like something, I will definitely retaliate. I will be aggressive when it comes to things surrounding me on the show.

Why did you suddenly think about doing a dance show?

My wife and I were initially apprehensive but then I thought 'let's give it a shot'.

He was all set to deliver a speech at the World Parliament of Religions at Chicago in 1893 before being replaced by Swami Vivekananda; he introduced Gujarati language as a compulsory subject at the Bombay University; started the first-ever magazine for women titled Priyamvada and was the spiritual guru for several royal families of Gujarat, yet Manilal Nabhubhai Dwivedi was considered by and large as among the most controversial characters of his times. The man was not only a womanizer but also had a notorious reputation among his peers. Yet, if his wild antics were neglected, Dwivedi was one of the most respected scholars.

Her designer husband hasn't had a show for years now, and even she is someone who loves to keep a low profile. But then, that's just their nature as Kavita Durazi (designer and wife of Shahab Durazi) explains, "I guess that's just who we are; both Shahab and I are homebodies and we love staying at home and taking care of kids more than the usual party hopping."

Gone are the days of predictable wallpaper. The latest trend to move the interior design industry is artificially treated leather wallpaper. There has been an increase in the use of leather as wall coverings, desktops, drawer fronts and other case goods. Tim Beckett, director of international sales, Townsend Leather says, "The trend to use leather as wall covering is international. We have worked on global projects where leather was applied to the wall. From high-end hospitality, casinos, and restaurant applications to private residences, both large and small projects use leather wallpaper nowadays."

It's not easy to be in the firing line of the senior editors of Mumbai's second largest daily. After almost two hours of heavy grilling, when Ustad Zakir Hussain came out of the conference room of DNA, he had a smile on his face even though he had survived the day on a bowl of boiled papayas. It was because Zakir had proved his point by then.

"I have come here to request you to stop featuring me…" Before you wonder whether Zakir intends to turn into a recluse, he clarifies, "We need to promote classical music and the younger crop of classical musicians. We need to tell the younger generation that there's an alternative career in classical music, and it's no way less than any other vocation."