Bernie Ecclestone has suggested the creation of an all-female world championship to run alongside Formula One to encourage more women to enter the sport

Bernie Ecclestone believes Formula One would be better off with 10 teams as the grid looks set to be reduced to 11 in 2012

A new bid to take over HRT and rebrand it Scorpion Racing is not likely to get the go-ahead to compete in this year's championship, according to Bernie Ecclestone

Arjun Kapoor has always appreciated eclectic content. The actor, who runs his own digital property Arjun Recommends through which suggests great content for people to binge on, is currently gorging on yesteryears acclaimed TV show Byomkesh Bakshi played by actor Rajit Kapur.

For Arjun, this show is like a whiff of nostalgia from his childhood. He says, “Whenever I could catch Byomkesh Bakshi as a kid, I remember I enjoyed it thoroughly. For me, Byomkesh was what a hero should be. Slick, super-intelligent, and charismatic, he is one of the best sleuths that I have seen on screen! I have been watching Byomkesh on TV again and it is pure nostalgia for me!”

Arjun lists his reasons why he loves this indigenous super-detective. “The best thing about Byomkesh was that he solved intelligent crimes and that really hooked me on. The writing, the cleverness of the cases really got me interested. The show still hooks you thoroughly and that’s what great writing, great acting can do. Great content has the ability to become timeless and universal,” he adds.

Arjun secretly wishes to play a detective on screen. “Since then, I had always wanted to play a detective who saves the day and saves lives. I got to live my childhood dream by playing an undercover agent and saving the country in India’s Most Wanted! I still hope I get to play a detective on-screen one day!” says Arjun.

Also Read: An overwhelmed Arjun Kapoor wishes a frontline doctor on her birthday as she pens an emotional note

When we reach a swish Bandra restaurant at the exact hour scheduled for lunch with Natalie Di Luccio and Mikey McCleary, we find Natalie already seated there. Mikey, though, hasn't arrived yet, and this leads to inevitable jokes about 'Indian Standard Time'. But to be fair to the New Zealander, he reaches only a few minutes later and immediately hits it off with Natalie, whom he knows from before. But the two haven't met in a while, their individual projects having kept them too busy to find the time. Mikey, 48, is a composer who dabbles in Bollywood projects such as Shaitan (2011) and most recently Ribbon, which released last month. Natalie, a 28-year-old Italian-Canadian, has made a mark in Bollywood too, as a playback singer in films like English Vinglish and Chennai Express. A Hindi video in collaboration with Raghu Ram is also just around the corner. She's recovered from an appendicitis operation only a few days ago, she tells us, and explores the menu with Mikey before they settle down for an engaging conversation.

Mikey McCleary and Natalie Di Luccio at a restaurant in Bandra West. Pics/Shadab Khan

Shunashir to Natalie: How did your relationship with India begin?
Natalie: Well, I remember I was in the library in McGill (a Canadian university where she studied) around 2009 and I had all my songs on Myspace at the time. I don't know if you remember Myspace?
Shunashir: I do remember it.
Mikey: Yeah, I do too.
Natalie: So this is then, okay? And I got a message on Myspace from someone from India, who said, "Hi, we'd like you to come to India and record on this fusion album on the chakras." But the whole thing didn't make sense to me at the time. So, I said, "Thanks; yeah, maybe one day." But I didn't know who that album was by. Long story short, they messaged me again and said, "Can you do some recording for us from Canada?" and I said, "Okay." Two months later, I get back home from school in Quebec and there's a CD in the mail; it's Sonu Nigam's Maha Ganesha album, which is what I sung for!
Mikey: Wow.

Shunashir: Yeah, wow. And how was it for you, Mikey?
Mikey: My relationship with India actually began because I was born here, in Chennai. My parents were missionaries in the country, in Andhra Pradesh. But anyway, let's fast forward. I moved to New Zealand when I was five years old, did my schooling there, got into music, moved to London and got a studio there. And one day, somebody knocks on the door of the studio, some Indian fellow, and says, "Hi, I'm your new brother-in-law." And this guy is Lucky Ali.
Natalie: Oh my gosh!
Mikey: Yeah, but he hadn't released anything then, so he wasn't known as a singer. He had come to do some sort of recording in Watford and said, "Can I come in and maybe, we can do some music together?" So, I said, "Okay, come back over the weekend," and that's how we recorded a couple of songs, Oh Sanam and Sunoh.
Shunashir: ...Which kind of changed the Indi-pop game at that point of time, at least in terms of videos.
Mikey: Right. And the Oh Sanam video was shot in Cairo, at the pyramids. And the woman who was dressed in the purdah, with everyone in India wondering who this person with blue eyes in Lucky Ali's big hit song is — that's my sister!
Natalie: That's so funny, and really cool.

(The food — poached pear and blue cheese salad, grand chicken Caesar salad, meatballs in creamy sauce and pizza American — arrives)
Mikey: Have you noticed how so many Mumbai menus suddenly have watermelon and feta salad?
Natalie: I think it's a Greek combination and you're right, it's everywhere now. But the pizza in Italy (which is where part of her family is from) is totally different from the one we get in Mumbai. They have less ingredients and the main thing is always the tomato sauce. You can tell the restaurant by its tomato sauce.

Shunashir: Have you not taken to Indian food?
Natalie: No, no. It's not that. But I am fonder of North Indian food because I find that it's a little sweeter in general, all your butter chickens and navratan kormas. And I think North Indian food is pretty much what you mean by Indian food elsewhere in the world, right?
Mikey: Well, do you know what the national dish in the UK is?

Shunashir: It used to be chicken tikka masala, but I'm not so sure about now.
Mikey: I think it still is. By "national dish" they mean the most commonly ordered dish in restaurants.
Natalie: I don't know why it is, but when I'm at home here, I don't like having cooked food as much. Maybe it's the weather?
Mikey: Yeah, it could be. You'll also see that countries that are hotter actually have more chilli in their food. That's because it's counter-intuitive. Chilli kind of cools you down, and brings the heat out.
Natalie: It's so funny how that works.

Catch up on all the latest Mumbai news, current affairs from Mumbai, local news, crime news and breaking headlines here

Download the new mid-day Android and iOS apps to get updates on all the latest and trending stories on the go

The billionaire heiress, 35, showed off her toned physique in the snap, highlighting her ample assets in a plunging floral print swimsuit.

JONATHAN McEVOY IN SAO PAULO: The 89-year-old Ecclestone thinks a clean break would suit the six-time world champion better than seeking a final hurrah with Ferrari.

The team behind critically acclaimed Sky crime drama Gangs of London have revealed there is 'intent' for a second series.

Jan Morris, 93, who lives in the Llyn Peninsula has penned new book, Thinking Again. She would become the first transgender person honoured if made Dame Jan Morris.

Bernie Ecclestone, 88, also said he thought Putin should be running Europe and that the invasion of Crimea was just to 'bring Russia back together.'

Viewers took to Twitter to vent their frustration as it was revealed that Ken wouldn't be bringing his pet pooch to the Still Waters home, where he is planning to move with partner Claudia Colby.

The ITV soap took to its official Twitter to confirm the status of the Border Terriers after soap watchers were left distraught over Eccles being killed off.

Lead actress 'marvel' Kim Maresca, who plays housewife turned diva said: 'I am so excited that this show I love so much is getting new life here in London'.

Basket case Caterham will go to the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix after raising enough funds through their ‘crowdfunding’ scheme, a move that has not been met with joy by Bernie Ecclestone.

Grimsby Town's Carabao Cup clash against Macclesfield was called off just before half-time due a torrential storm. A replay of the second-round tie will have to be rescheduled.

Wigan MP Ms Nandy, who narrowly came third behind Ms Long-Bailey in the first round of the leadership campaign, is said to have impressed Mr McCluskey in a face-to-face meeting.

The Unite the union boss said critics of the shadow business secretary 'would be better to clear out now' amid reports some are planning to quit Labour if she wins the contest.

On Tuesday's edition of The One Show, the presenter, 43, broke down in tears as actor Christopher, 56. read out a heartfelt poem in support of the NHS amid the coronavirus pandemic.

EXCLUSIVE INTERVIEW BY JONATHAN MCEVOY: Bernie Ecclestone does not believe Lewis Hamilton should move to Ferrari and he is happy to reel off why. Ecclestone is enjoying a burger in a regular haunt.

EXCLUSIVE: Bernie Ecclestone is locked down at his coffee farm in Brazil. At 490 acres it is literally the size of Monaco, and, with coronavirus lurking, staff living on site go out a couple at a time to shop.

Macclesfield have admitted to two misconduct charges from the FA relating to failing to fulfil a fixture against Plymouth on December 21 and non-payment of their players in February.

Wilbur Smith took his first trip to Egypt after his first novel was accepted for publication in 1963. And even though much has changed in the intervening years, he says Egyptians remain welcoming hosts.

ALISON BOSHOFF: Tamara believes the £50 million raid on her home in Kensington Palace Gardens on Friday night in which she lost 'almost every piece' of jewellery was an inside job.

The one-time Ex On Beach star was sure to bring hilarity to the situation after she was introduced to the hunky personal trainer that was getting her into tip top shape during the class.

An emotional episode of Big Brother ended on explosive terms after housemates Chanelle McCleary and Sue Evans locked horns.

The bubbly housemate provided a surprise of her own as she made her exit from the famous Hertfordshire compound on Friday night.

The Big Brother star, 25, revealed she was tormented by severe body dysmorphia demons in the past in an honest interview with The Sun .

Chanelle McCleary got tongues wagging once again as she stepped out to celebrated friend JSky's birthday at Manchester's swanky haunt The Refinery on Saturday night.

British reality star Chanelle McCleary, 25, shared the voice notes on Twitter, commenting: 'Only this could happen to me'. In the messages, the man is heard addressing woman called Gemma.

JONATHAN McEVOY: Bernie Ecclestone is not ready to step down from running Formula One, but when he does leave, young, energetic, articulate Christian Horner is the man to replace him.

They star together as DI Kate Fleming and DS Steve Arnott in Jed Mercurio's BBC police TV series Line Of Duty. 

EXCLUSIVE BY MIKE KEEGAN: A small section of fans of the home club were heard to sing songs including the words 'f*** the Pope and the IRA' and 'f*** the IRA' a number of times.

The charge relates to chants heard during the Sky Bet Championship clash between Barnsley and Stoke at Oakwell on November 9, which the Potters won, in the run-up to Remembrance Sunday.

The pair were engaged in a running battle during Preston's 2-0 away victory at the bet365 Stadium, and it appears there is little love lost between the pair.

The sanction relates to chants heard during the Sky Bet Championship clash between the sides on November 9, which the Potters won 4-2.

James McClean has been punished after posting an image of himself in a balaclava, accompanied by a caption that read 'today's school lesson - history', interpreted as a reference to the IRA.

James McClean has attempted to defend his controversial Instagram post in which he appeared to mimic the IRA in a home schooling session with his children. 

Despite being feted as a huge success, the flagship programme of the government for the universalisation of primary education leaves much to be desired. Ironically, the easy availability of the funds for a supposedly successful scheme may be preventing it from being as productive as it could otherwise be. Kalpana Misra reports.

Dewey Library - HB72.M33 2019

McClave, James T., author

Rotch Library - NX512.C36 A4 2018

Rotch Library - TR350.P53 2018

Hayden Library - TN873.P4 P48 2018

Online Resource

Hayden Library - PQ2344.C63 B57 2017

MEDIA PhonCD L729 cro

Online Resource

IEEE Computer Society