Hindustan Times (Lucknow) - Hindustan Times (Lucknow) - Live
Outdoor or indoor, time to get groomed!
With the onset of ‘Unlock 1.0,’ salons and barber shops in Lucknow opened to witness a high number of footfall to get rid of two-month long hair and avail ‘emergency’ beauty services.
The salons have been instructed to undertake only hair and basic beauty related services instead of massage, spa and others. Some of the parlours have raised shutters whereas many are still contemplating as providing only hair related service would be loss-making for them.
While salon chains have started services following maximum precautions as per the government guidelines with all possible precautions still the coronavirus fear is there among people.
Wazda Arora, owner Quiff Salon said, “We are taking all the precautions as per the advisory, a four-level check procedure is followed. As it not mere safety of the client but it is for safety of my staff and their family too. We were seeing good customer turn-out since we restarted the services but as from a week the cases are on a rise in Lucknow so again the clientele has declined.”
On being asked about customer response, she said, “Sometimes we get really cautious customers like who know how important it is wear a mask while some just don’t wear masks. We provide disposable masks while our staff wears PPE suits with face shields. Then there are some who tag along a few and that gets difficult for us to manage in such times as we cannot compromise with safety.”
According to Dolly Rastogi, owner of Radiance Fringes N Curls, “People are hesitant and want we make them feel safe so have come up with an option of personal cubicles. Many out there think that when they have to stay indoors or wear masks when out so we don’t need to groom themselves! But for me, it’s the other way around — one should groom for him or herself.”
Almost all salons are following prior appointment policy. Anjali Mishra, sales manager Body Care salon, said, “We are taking prior appointments and only then offering services. Also, bridal makeup is a service that is sought for at this point of time. Though not many parties happening but still we are getting customers and here again we are absolutely cautious and all armed with safety.”
Cost too is another challenge for the salon owners as their expenditure has increased manifolds. “Yes it has definitely gone up as lots of things have been added to our budget but it’s for safety of our staff and clients so we have to qualms. Also, we will stick to same service prices,” adds Dolly.
Earlier this year, when Tanaji Malusare (played by Ajay Devgn) took on the Mughal Empire in Tanhaji: The Unsung Warrior, the box office went into overdrive. Then, Karan Johar’s Mughal-era drama, Takht, was set to go on the floors but was halted due to the lockdown.
Now, as the country moves to unlock, Nikkhil Advani is all set to start work on his web series titled Moghuls, based on Alex Rutherford’s Empire of the Moghul. The magnum opus was delayed due to the lockdown, but Advani “has now started planning about going ahead with the shooting at the earliest” in Mumbai.
The show, which would reportedly see actors such as Ronit Roy, Dia Mirza and
Navneet Vyasan
The recent India-China faceoff has forced Indian youngsters to question why there are still Chinese apps in their phones. According to reports, Indian intelligence has red-flagged 50 popular China-linked apps that may pose a threat to national security. These include Zoom,
Shabana Azmi among others, is also slated to be shot in Uzbekistan. “Yes, we aim to finish work in India before moving to Uzbekistan towards the end of the year or when we’re done with the India schedule. By then, hopefully, Covid-19 situation will come under control,” says Advani, adding there is no way he will skip shooting in Uzbekistan due to the Covid-19 fear. “We have to find ways around it, not punish ourselves,” he says.
Interestingly, the Mughal era forms the backdrop for many other projects too. There’s Sanjay Leela Bhansali’s next film, Baiju Bawra, on the legendary musician who was a contemporary of Emperor Akbar’s court singer, Tansen, and a comedy starring Pawan Kalyan and Jacqueline Fernandez. A TV show, Taj – A Monument of
TikTok and UC Browser. “Zoom can be replaced by Google Meet or Skype. And, TikTok trends have had a negative impact on the youth anyway,” says Rohi Asrani, a Mumbai-based college student.
Some students feel that once the youth steps up to act, it can go a long way in dethroning Chinese applications. “If we can help our government and
Blood, and an Ekta Kapoorbacked web series on the Mughal queen, Mehrunissa, better known as Noor Jehan, are also in the works. economy by not supporting Chinese enterprises, why hesitate?” says Shlok Malpani, pointing out the serious privacy breach allegations these apps have faced. Yogini Mangloorkar from Navi Mumbai mentions the “unwise Chinese action towards India”, and stresses on using Indian apps. Another student, Chaitra Pandurangi says these apps are major contributors to Chinese economy, and today’s situation calls for a complete boycott. “Indian software companies should be encouraged to develop more effective and efficient apps,” she adds.
Mumbai Police recorded late actor Sushant Singh Rajput’s girlfriend, Rhea Chakraborty’s statement on Thursday . She was asked about their relationship, states Etimes, adding she reportedly showed them proof he was being treated for clinical depression. Reports also said cops asked Yash Raj Films for copies of Rajput’s contract, which HT tried to independently verify, but YRF didn’t respond till the time of going to press.