April 01, 2025

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HOW PHAT IS HELLO!

Seven letters of the alphabet. Just seven. Emotive. Interpretative. Powerful. The definition of success is subjective. ut its hold over us is universal. ho doesn't crave success Admiration alidation The world needs heroes--people who evoke admiration, inspire others, challenge our imagination, shift boundaries and earn applause, one achievement at a timeThis publication has consistently identified individuals worthy enough to have their lives responsibly chronicled in high gloss splendour on its valuable pages. To be featured in this maga ine has long been viewed as a cherished recognition by the carefully hand-picked, bona fide global celebrities who make the cut. In an environment choking with shallow in uence peddlers, it holds its own by continuing with its mission to showcase the lives of a broad spectrum of contemporary high-profilers who define and deliver society's collective aspirationsere's the thing social media often plays havoc with perceptions. Celebrities are manufactured and destroyed within weeks due to the unchecked proliferation of image consultants, paid to create instant celebrityhood. ut people aren't coffee. It's a ha y world of non-stop hustle as hungry fameseekers shell out big bucks to professionals who specialise in manufacturing and managing one-dimensional products' with no intrinsic brand value other than a certain visibility on social media. Their presence across platforms is often based on stunts and gimmicks designed to attract attention. hile in uencers' have had their glory days of constructing narratives around themselves and the people who sponsor their gushy posts, the gears have shifted dramatically to paid promotions and PRPosts are seen for what they are--shallow and lacking in credibility. The time for buying fame' and accompanying publicity is over, as social media consumers reject the lack of authenticity and turn to legit platforms or publications for their dose of genuine content. This has always been a cherished cach at E !. Its muscle and strength, as loyalists will readily testify. The maga ine has held on to its unique mix over the years by consistently featuring personalities who merit special attention--be they reclusive royals agreeing to exclusives shot in their opulent but rarely photographed but rarely photographed palaces, or discerning art collectors inviting the team into their cutting-edge homes to share their painstakingly acquired treasures with awestruck admirers. egastars from various fields--movies, sports, politics, fashion--trust the glossy to represent their lives responsibly --and lavishly! It's these unbroken relationships based on high levels of trust and goodwill, firmly established through a long association, that have forged warm and wonderful bonds over the years.

ISHAAN KHATTER

Yes, he Cannes! Ishaan Khatter is in the news. Let's call it the `newz' normalHomebound, a film he made with director Neeraj Ghaywan back in 2021, where he co-starred with Janhvi Kapoor, has been selected for the `Un Certain Regard' section of the 78th Cannes Film Festival this year. What is this exotic segment? Launched back in 1978, this section showcases films that are innovative, audacious, support young talent and a unique vision. As the manifesto goes, "It's a platform for discovering new trends, paths and countries in cinema." How does the actor feel even as he digests the implications? In his short innings as a mainstream actor, sometimes, Ishaan himself feels giddy with the maelstrom of milestones that have dropped his way"Yes, it does seem surreal. I've gotten to work with such an unimaginable, eclectic group of people, so many of them being masters in their own right and globally recognised names. It's what is lovely about this job--you don't know what could be next, and I hope it keeps surprising me. And that I keep surprising audiences!" ISHAAN ON A `RAMPAGE' Location: the HELLO! cover shoot We sense, more than see, a superstar around... Suspense and an inkling of impending spectacle stalk the corridors of this boutique hotel. It's a sensual, spicy vibe How do we know, a millennial `light' lurks? Is it the `clear the space, move out!' shooing, or the music seeping out from his makeup and changing room? In a world of robotic house beats, these songs are soul soothing and so incredibly ancient! We're all nostalgic, absorbing the mellifluous sounds of the -year-old ade, 44-year old Kelly Rowland (`No Matter What I Do'), -year-old ammer and -year old Usher Ishaan is clearly an old soul--even if he uses millennial slang ("This is sick!") when scrolling through his clicks. Somewhere in that 29-year-old bod resonates a pre-AI, pre- autotune psyche. This young man? He's got the `thirst-trapping' down pat, but he's also all about addressing the thirsty millennial soul. LUXE IN SPIRIT o matter how much fiscal muscle shaan may now have, given his East-West acting