The actor Irrfan Khan says the Indian film industry needs to improve the way it does its marketing. "There are few areas we still need to work on, like strategies related to the release of a film. The way it is planned in America, we still need to find that system," said the actor, who stars in Ang Lee's latest film, Life of Pi. "For example, they really work on what kind of audience is going to watch a film and they release accordingly." Khan became a prominent face in international cinema after roles in films such as Warrior, A Mighty Heart, New York, I Love You and Slumdog Millionaire. * IANS
After Talaash, Kareena readies for romcom
After impressing critics and audiences in her recent project, the crime mystery film Talaash, Kareena Kapoor says she is looking forward to her forthcoming role in a romantic comedy. "I don't want to do monotonous roles so I don't think I will take on a suspense drama for a while. So my next film will be a light comedy," said the 32-year-old star. "But it doesn't mean I didn't like Talaash. It was a brave decision to make a film like it. When we were making the film, my only concern was the audience wouldn't be able to accept the genre. But we have won the battle." Kapoor refused to divulge details about her next movie, but said it will be directed by Karan Johar and will co-star Imran Khan. Shooting begins in January. * IANS
Jacqueline Fernandez wants to change glam image
Following roles in the 2011 thriller Murder 2 and the recent comedy Housefull 2, the actress Jacqueline Fernandez wants to break into a different genre. "It takes a conscious effort to change your image because people are just waiting to stereotype you," the 27-year-old Sri Lankan star said. "If you have done a movie which is successful and your performance is successful, then people want to cash in on that. You have to put your foot down." Fernandez says she recognises the perils of branching out creatively. "It is risky because people don't like being said no to," she said of declining movie projects that don't challenge her. "But you just have to do what is good for you. I love actors who can shock you. Like Ranbir Kapoor. Every single character he does is different." * IANS
Roshan: working with Shekhar Kapur is a dream
The actor Hrithik Roshan, who is reportedly being considered to play the lead in Shekhar Kapur's new film, Paani, says it's been his lifelong dream to be directed by the filmmaker. When asked if he had officially signed on to the movie, Roshan said: "I hope it happens. Apart from work, just being with that man, in his presence, I feel comforted. Shekhar Kapur is kind of an enlightened soul. So when I am with him, I feel a little good about myself." Produced by Aditya Chopra, Paani will feature the music of the Oscar-winning AR Rahman. * IANS
if you go
The flights
Emirates have direct flights from Dubai to Glasgow from Dh3,115. Alternatively, if you want to see a bit of Edinburgh first, then you can fly there direct with Etihad from Abu Dhabi.
The hotel
Located in the heart of Mackintosh's Glasgow, the Dakota Deluxe is perhaps the most refined hotel anywhere in the city. Doubles from Dh850
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Events and tours
There are various Mackintosh specific events throughout 2018 – for more details and to see a map of his surviving designs see glasgowmackintosh.com
For walking tours focussing on the Glasgow Style, see the website of the Glasgow School of Art.
More information
For ideas on planning a trip to Scotland, visit www.visitscotland.com
Company%20Profile
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The specs
Engine: 2-litre or 3-litre 4Motion all-wheel-drive Power: 250Nm (2-litre); 340 (3-litre) Torque: 450Nm Transmission: 8-speed automatic Starting price: From Dh212,000 On sale: Now
SPECS
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Company profile
Company: Verity
Date started: May 2021
Founders: Kamal Al-Samarrai, Dina Shoman and Omar Al Sharif
Based: Dubai
Sector: FinTech
Size: four team members
Stage: Intially bootstrapped but recently closed its first pre-seed round of $800,000
Investors: Wamda, VentureSouq, Beyond Capital and regional angel investors
Company%20profile
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The specs: 2018 Maxus T60
Price, base / as tested: Dh48,000
Engine: 2.4-litre four-cylinder
Power: 136hp @ 1,600rpm
Torque: 360Nm @ 1,600 rpm
Transmission: Five-speed manual
Fuel consumption, combined: 9.1L / 100km
The more serious side of specialty coffee
While the taste of beans and freshness of roast is paramount to the specialty coffee scene, so is sustainability and workers’ rights.
The bulk of genuine specialty coffee companies aim to improve on these elements in every stage of production via direct relationships with farmers. For instance, Mokha 1450 on Al Wasl Road strives to work predominantly with women-owned and -operated coffee organisations, including female farmers in the Sabree mountains of Yemen.
Because, as the boutique’s owner, Garfield Kerr, points out: “women represent over 90 per cent of the coffee value chain, but are woefully underrepresented in less than 10 per cent of ownership and management throughout the global coffee industry.”
One of the UAE’s largest suppliers of green (meaning not-yet-roasted) beans, Raw Coffee, is a founding member of the Partnership of Gender Equity, which aims to empower female coffee farmers and harvesters.
Also, globally, many companies have found the perfect way to recycle old coffee grounds: they create the perfect fertile soil in which to grow mushrooms.
BORDERLANDS
Starring: Cate Blanchett, Kevin Hart, Jamie Lee Curtis
Director: Eli Roth
Rating: 0/5
SPECS
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The specs
Engine: 2.0-litre 4-cylturbo
Transmission: seven-speed DSG automatic
Power: 242bhp
Torque: 370Nm
Price: Dh136,814
Tonight's Chat on The National
Tonight's Chat is a series of online conversations on The National. The series features a diverse range of celebrities, politicians and business leaders from around the Arab world.
Tonight’s Chat host Ricardo Karam is a renowned author and broadcaster who has previously interviewed Bill Gates, Carlos Ghosn, Andre Agassi and the late Zaha Hadid, among others.
Intellectually curious and thought-provoking, Tonight’s Chat moves the conversation forward.
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Israel Palestine on Swedish TV 1958-1989
Director: Goran Hugo Olsson
Rating: 5/5
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