The #DancebeeAnniversary Special | A Letter From Us, To You
Sometimes, the blessings showered upon us by the ‘almighty’ and an individual’s destiny - all of it works in unison to create special plans for you. I truly believe 'Diary of a Dancebee' was one such plan, that became a part of my life on this very day. This 'plan' gave me the chance to learn and grow as an individual. It gave me the opportunity to interact with millions of people from across the globe, who continue to make my day special with their appreciation, warmth and kindness even today. It gave me a platform to express my thoughts and more importantly, and the chance to fall in love with my work, every minute and every single day. As American author Ray Bradbury once famously wrote - "Love what you do, Do what you love." And ever since I focused on the process of creating content, I fell in love with every aspect!
Our website - Diary of a Dancebee has come a long way, and we are all set to enter a brand new year. From being a simple, personal blog to becoming one of India's most loved entertainment & lifestyle website and ultimately, winning multiple awards for all the hard work. Today, as I look back at all those memories of spending sleepless nights over designing the blog, learning new skills, editing posts and working on fresh concepts (which I do, even today. learning never stops); I feel proud. Proud to give my ideas a chance. Proud to have a strong voice, and of course - Proud to be a girl who dared to dream.
I am taking this opportunity to extend my gratitude to those, who stood by our vision and supported us at every step - the core group, contributors, guest writers, photographers and videographers; all the supremely talented people, who added wings to our ideas and joined hands to create content since 2014 (of course, the journey began unofficially in 2012 - when my humble hobby blogging began). All those faces behind numerous projects, shoots, interviews, and brands - that we have worked with. My friends, who never backed out (despite seeing days when I couldn't meet or spend time with them) and backed me up every single day (you know who you are). My wonderful parents, partner and loved ones - the OG mains, who have seen me struggle and shine, witnessed the roller coaster ride, and became the rock solid strength that I always wanted.
Gratitude to all the brands, agencies, companies and people we have collaborated / worked with. Nothing worth having comes easy, but all of you made it possible with your support. Reserving the best for last! YOU. Yes, all of you are the lifeline of this baby! Over the years, right from the inceptions of our blog to website and witnessing our social media pages grow - all of you have helped make ‘Diary of a Dancebee’ what it is today. Nothing would have been possible without your love and blessings, dear readers and followers! It means a lot to know that there are people who appreciate your work and your posts can help change a life somewhere or bring a smile on someone's face. Thank you for all the letters, tweets and posts, even on days when we faced hurdles. Your love has made us stronger!
Our website - Diary of a Dancebee has come a long way, and we are all set to enter a brand new year. From being a simple, personal blog to becoming one of India's most loved entertainment & lifestyle website and ultimately, winning multiple awards for all the hard work. Today, as I look back at all those memories of spending sleepless nights over designing the blog, learning new skills, editing posts and working on fresh concepts (which I do, even today. learning never stops); I feel proud. Proud to give my ideas a chance. Proud to have a strong voice, and of course - Proud to be a girl who dared to dream.
Gratitude to all the brands, agencies, companies and people we have collaborated / worked with. Nothing worth having comes easy, but all of you made it possible with your support. Reserving the best for last! YOU. Yes, all of you are the lifeline of this baby! Over the years, right from the inceptions of our blog to website and witnessing our social media pages grow - all of you have helped make ‘Diary of a Dancebee’ what it is today. Nothing would have been possible without your love and blessings, dear readers and followers! It means a lot to know that there are people who appreciate your work and your posts can help change a life somewhere or bring a smile on someone's face. Thank you for all the letters, tweets and posts, even on days when we faced hurdles. Your love has made us stronger!
And I quote Steve Jobs -
Your work is going to fill a large part of your life, and the only way to be truly satisfied is to do what you believe is great work. And the only way to do great work is to love what you do
Thank you for believing in us and our work. I fall in love with my job everyday and this wouldn't have been possible without you. Here's to many more amazing stories, learning new things and chasing dreams with Diary of a Dancebee!
Stay tuned and follow us, as we extend our gratitude and celebrate together.
Join the virtual celebration on Twitter | Instagram | Snapchat | Facebook
Stay tuned and follow us, as we extend our gratitude and celebrate together.
Join the virtual celebration on Twitter | Instagram | Snapchat | Facebook
Love,
Priya Adivarekar
Birthday Special | Thoughts and More by Shahid Kapoor
It's that time of the year, you guys! We are celebrating February 25 aka Shahid Kapoor day - as the man celebrates his birthday today. Almost every mid / late 90s kid grew up falling in love with his charm and some memorable performances in films like Ishq Vishk, Vivah. As years went by, he took things a notch higher and turned into Bollywood's 'King of Versatility'; changing one avatar after another and sweeping awards, honours and accolades for his incredible craft.
Be it Tommy Singh's rage or the angst of Kabir Singh - he brought to life some of the most complex characters. Easily, the best that the previous decade has seen. Today, as Shahid Kapoor turns 41 (wait, what?) - we look back at some of the most inspiring thoughts and musings shared by the actor, straight from our interview archives.
We truly hope 2022 turns out to be yet another milestone year in Shahid's career! Can't wait to see him in 'Jersey'. We are so excited.
Beauty on a Budget 2.0 | Top Red Lipsticks under Rs 500
We all love a bright, bold lipstick - something that can perk up even the most basic look and a simple outfit. On some days, all we need is a red lipstick to spruce up a look. Of course, the perfect icing on the cake would be something that is affordable, with a good formula and pigment. And yes, a lipstick that doesn't transfer and lasts long. Something that offers the perfect blend of good quality, pay off and the right tint? With ongoing festive sales and discounts, it is a good time to get your hands on a good lipstick, without burning a hole in your pocket. Well, don't fret! Our series 'Beauty on a Budget' is back again, and this time, we've got our spotlight on the bold and beautiful - The Red Lipstick. Here's a round up of the best budget red lipsticks under 500 INR (in no particular order). These are tried, tested and approved by Team Dancebee. So, get ready to fill your shopping cart with these budget beauty top picks.
Maybelline New York Color Sensational Creamy Matte Lipstick
Shade: Siren in Scarlet
Price: Rs 299 (available for a lower price on discount)
What we love: Good pigment, light packaging and quite long lasting for the price you pay. You can even use this shade as a blush for flushed cheeks.
Nykaa So Matte Lipstick
Shade: Scarlet Siren 29M
Price: Rs 399 (available for a lower price on discount)
What we love: Creamy matte finish with a decent pigment. Packaging is nice, and the lipstick feels very lightweight.
Lakme Cushion Matte Lipstick
Shade: CR5 Red Blaze
Price: Rs 275
What we love: Soft, creamy formula - which is non-drying and transfer proof. The colour is deep and long lasting. The texture feels really good, and lasts for a good 5-6 hours.
Colorbar Velvet Matte Lipstick
Shade: Heart Beating
Price: Rs 275
What we love: Glides on smoothly. Long lasting formula which feels comfortable and quite creamy - even for a matte lipstick.
Nykaa So Creme! Creamy Matte Lipstick
Shade: Bon Appetit Baby
Price: Rs 299 (available for a lower price on discount)
Birthday Special | Sidharth Malhotra's Bollywood Journey in Quotes
From being a Student to turning Army man; it's been quite a journey for the Birthday boy in Bollywood! With great talent, impressive performances, looks to kill and a very suave personality, he has earned a huge fan base across the globe. If his social media fandom is anything to go by, he has certainly become a rage among his young fans. And deservingly so! After all, his nine year journey in Bollywood has seen the actor take up myriad roles, ranging from a sweet boy next door to a spine chilling 'villain'. Never the one to shy away from experiments, Sidharth Malhotra has carved a niche of his own and cemented his status in the industry as the next big thing.
We love how the actor has never shied away from being honest! The Delhi boy has always been very genuine, real and relatable in his conversations. That being one of the many things that we love about Sid (of course, his passion for fitness being another). As the handsome hunk turns 37 today, we take a look at some of the most inspiring quotes about his journey in the industry, picked from our exclusive interactions with the actor.
Happy Birthday, Sidharth Malhotra!! Here's to many more amazing films and remarkable performances in the year ahead.
Are you a Sidharth Malhotra fan? What's your favourite film starring Sid?
Haircare Routine for Healthy Hair | Home Remedies with Dancebee
Strong, luscious locks - a result of patience, nurturing and good hair care. Your hair needs all the goodness, in order to look healthy. While diet and other factors do play a crucial role, a basic haircare routine (using suitable products) also plays a key role. This is my haircare routine - simple head massage, using a blend of four oils, that I have been using on a fortnightly basis since age 16 (result of a random experiment, which worked wonders). It's an easy, fuss-free and inexpensive way to promote hair growth, keep it healthy and ensure your locks get some much needed pampering.
Ingredients: Coconut Oil (I use Parachute Advansed or regular Parachute Coconut Oil), Almond Oil (I prefer Dabur Almond Oil or Hamdard's Rogan Badam Shirin), Olive Oil and Castor Oil.
Process: Mix the first 3 oils in equal proportion, and only 2-3 drops of Castor Oil. Mix it up, and voila! Your potion is ready. Leave it on for 30 mins, and then, rinse using your shampoo (and follow it up with a conditioner / mask). Avoid leaving it on overnight. For best results, use as a pre-wash deep conditioning technique.
Tip: If you plan to store this in a bottle (for use upto 1-2 months), do not heat the oil. For those who are using this only once, the oil can be warmed in a small bowl (for approximately 30-45 seconds). Remember
26 Years of DDLJ | Top Moments from Dilwale Dulhania Le Jayenge
One of Hindi cinema's most iconic romantic movie has completed 26 years! 26 years?!? Wow, that's a long time. We have loved, lived and laughed with this film since 1995, a year, when most of the 90s children were tiny tots (or yet to be born) and our parents lovingly took to us to watch this one helluva film, without knowing that it will stay with most of us for life. Yes, we are talking about the much loved - Dilwale Dulhania Le Jayenge - Aditya Chopra's directorial debut. Interestingly, the film is all set for a musical adaptation, which shall be helmed by Chopra himself, thus making it his broadway directorial debut. While the casting is underway, it is said that the musical shall bring together Indian and American teams. The musical will premiere at the Old Globe Theater in San Diego in September 2022.Best news ever? Yes!
Rarely do films create such an impact, that their dialogues go on to become an integral part of our lives. C'mon, I am quite sure most of us would have said "Palat" or "Ja Simran Jaa, jee le apni zindagi" in between casual conversations (or best, to pull someone's leg). And what do I say about the legendary Maratha Mandir? The place has become a temple for most DDLJ fans, who hang around to buy tickets and make their mornings special with this romantic saga, which happens to be Aditya Chopra's directorial debut. It may just be a film for some, a romantic bible for a few others, but for those who have seen it umpteen number of times (and add to that, woke up early to catch the matinee show at Maratha Mandir), it is much more than just a film. It is a gift that they will cherish for several years to come. Well, that just explains the reason why even after 19 long years, the film continues to see a decent turn out, everyday, at Maratha Mandir, and has completed a legen (wait for it) dary 1000 week run.
On this special occasion, we list some of our favourite moments from the film.
1. Bade bade deshon mein...
Because after all, aise badi badi filmein roz nahin banti, Senorita!
2. Shahrukh Khan's iconic Smile
The reason why most girls born in the 90s had their first crush on King Khan.
3. The Towel and Rain dance
4. Toh kya hua...
That moment when everyone in the cinema hall goes 'Aww', including me, you and every other DDLJ fan out there!
5. The Hotel Prank scene
We all love Raj, and we can't stop laughing when he breaks the"Kal raat" waali news to Simran.
But seconds into the scene and again, we all go - Awww!
6. And Simran falls down...
And you be like - Say whaa? Isn't Raj just plain crazy?
7. The Sarson ke khet scene + Tujhe dekha toh
The song that made every individual hunt for that perfect patch of Sarson ke khet, only for them to run the Bollywood way and sing "Aankhen meri, sapne tere."
8. Ho Gaya Hain Tujhko Toh Pyaar
The song that makes you see your loved one around, successfully since 1995 (and the track that tops my iPod playlist, every single time. My favourite from the DDLJ album).
9. The Train scene
How else will Shahrukh Khan continue to save his lady love and pull her inside the running train, for the next 20 years? On a serious note, this is 'the' moment when Simran is finally allowed to live her life. The moment where the legendary Late Amrish Puri says, "Jaa Simran jaa, jee le apni zindagi."
10. Palat
Love,
The Dancebee
On this special occasion, we list some of our favourite moments from the film.
1. Bade bade deshon mein...
Because after all, aise badi badi filmein roz nahin banti, Senorita!
2. Shahrukh Khan's iconic Smile
The reason why most girls born in the 90s had their first crush on King Khan.
3. The Towel and Rain dance
Admit it, we have have all tried to act all girly in the rain, while singing "Kaisa hain kaun hain, woh jaane kahan hain," and post shower, tried these towel dance moves A la Kajol.
That moment when everyone in the cinema hall goes 'Aww', including me, you and every other DDLJ fan out there!
5. The Hotel Prank scene
We all love Raj, and we can't stop laughing when he breaks the"Kal raat" waali news to Simran.
But seconds into the scene and again, we all go - Awww!
6. And Simran falls down...
And you be like - Say whaa? Isn't Raj just plain crazy?
7. The Sarson ke khet scene + Tujhe dekha toh
The song that made every individual hunt for that perfect patch of Sarson ke khet, only for them to run the Bollywood way and sing "Aankhen meri, sapne tere."
8. Ho Gaya Hain Tujhko Toh Pyaar
9. The Train scene
How else will Shahrukh Khan continue to save his lady love and pull her inside the running train, for the next 20 years? On a serious note, this is 'the' moment when Simran is finally allowed to live her life. The moment where the legendary Late Amrish Puri says, "Jaa Simran jaa, jee le apni zindagi."
10. Palat
If someone like Raj, with a mandolin in hand and those magical eyes, says Palat, you might as well do as he says. Again, another iconic scene that went on to inspire several folks.
11. Karva Chauth
Another one on the 'Aww' list.
Aap convince ho gaye, ya main aur bolun?
In case you are not up to anything important today, just sit back with your favorite food, a tall glass of juice and enjoy this epic, romantic tale of Raj and Simran. A tale of true love, happiness, values, tradition and more. Thank you Shahrukh Khan, Kajol, Aditya Chopra and above all, the Late Yash Chopra for asking us to 'Come, fall in love'. Not just with the film, but with its ensemble cast, moments, dialogues songs and of course - Raj and Simran.
(Images credit: KKKG, SRKQueen and others on Tumblr)
The Dancebee
Rakita Rakita Dance Cover - Jagame Thandhiram | Dhanush Birthday Special | Priya Adivarekar
As Superstar Dhanush celebrates his 38th birthday this year, I thought it would be exciting to recreate his recent chartbuster 'Rakita Rakita' from 'Jagame Thandhiram'. While the euphoria surrounding his birthday has hit a peak - with #HappyBirthdayDhanush trending all day on social media and fans pouring their hearts out with incredible wishes - we thought of presenting our own humble, heartfelt surprise. The video was shot at home due to the covid-19 restrictions, and this is also the first time that I've tried wearing a 'Tamil Veshti' (if I've got the method or draping wrong, my apologies. But, I would love to keep trying and improvise). I truly enjoyed every bit of recreating this foot tapping number.
Here's my fun MASS attempt, and I truly hope you guys enjoy it. Let's Rakita!!
Here's wishing the supremely talented and absolutely charming - Dhanush, a very Happy Birthday!
Vaccine, Dubbing aur Mumbai ki Baarish | Vlog
Finally, I got a slot on CoWin and managed to get (partially) vaccinated. But, not without my dose of adventures - where I got stuck due to #Mumbai ki Baarish and (almost) missed my #vaccine appointment. Also, I had a recording session lined up between.
Being a responsible citizen, I took all precautionary measures while visiting the vaccine centre. I have Vlogged the entire experience. So, come along and Watch the full video to know it all.
Birthday Special | Quotes by Sonam Kapoor Ahuja That Prove Why We Love Her
Let's be honest, we love Sonam Kapoor Ahuja! And that's for a legit reason. An absolute sweetheart, who has been winning hearts for her performances and sartorial choices alike. But, we love how the actress has never shied away from being honest! She has a strong opinion, will stand up for a cause that needs attention and is always out there to support young talent. All this, and the fact that she has a pure soul with a golden heart, makes her the perfect girl boss!
When it comes to conversations with Sonam, you are bound to leave the venue feeling inspired and motivated (and we love the fact that she does not mince words). As the gorgeous actress and entrepreneur celebrates her 36th birthday, we take a look at some of her most fabulous quotes, compiled from our interviews.
On behalf of Team Dancebee, here's wishing Sonam Kapoor Ahuja a very happy birthday! We can't wait for her to create magic with her upcoming projects.
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