Get the real picture

Okay, so I hope none of the kids are copying Krrish, or worse, Superman now that he has returned (more romantic and soppy than ever before) but there's no denying the power popular cinema holds on most, or at least many of us.

Everything from Preity Zinta's boho chic to Saif Ali Khan's pink Tees and briefs have generated mass copying movements in the past. But the voyeur in us is not exactly satisfied with these made-up personas. We're all looking, to greater or smaller degrees, for tidbits on what our heroes and zeroes are really like.

A couple of weeks ago, I had the occasion to observe some real life antics of reel people. They were in Dubai for the IIFA awards but for what was also undoubtedly a fully-paid vacation (with family) for many. Anyway, in case you are the kinds inclined to emulate screen idols, here's my list of dos and don'ts:

First come, first sit: You know you are the first family when you arrive for a function, find the front row taken, but the organisers hastily drag forth a couple of chairs and create an entirely new front row exclusively for you and friends.

The Bachchan family (daughter Shweta and children in tow) clearly couldn't be seen taking a backseat "" not after friend Amar Singh made it so clear the last time round to Shahrukh Khan.

Nevertheless, we recognise good manners when we see them "" especially in good-looking people. Fardeen Khan and family faced a similar situation at another event. But wife Natasha and her friends quietly made their way to the third row and settled in graciously. Definitely imitable.

Where the accent? When society types in Delhi come back from their annual summer break in London, they are usually accompanied by a confused accent.

The charitable call it cockney, people like us strain our ears and wonder... So are they copying Salman Khan? Or is it the other way round? Sure, the shirtless stylish wonder was conversing with "international" star Van Damme but considering the Jodhpur stint, we wonder... Definitely don't.

Sare ke saree: Forget empireline waists and textured skirts, the saree is definitely the classiest sartorial statement this season. Aishwarya Rai came in a beautiful dull gold tissue number "" even though there were people who were clearly discontented.

"A saree in Dubai... dresses at Cannes?" they questioned. But Rai was quite in-style, just like Preity Zinta and Shabana Azmi.

On the other hand, please don't be a fashion victim, it may be okay to experiment a little "" after all, the no-pleats Mumtaz look is threatening to make a comeback "" but for heaven's sake don't be a fashion victim and do what first-time designer (for whom there should never be a second time) Benu Saihgal did some time ago "" wear a saree with a tie!

No penguins, please: Black and white are the colours of the day "" together. But the combo can be most unflattering, especially when you are trying to match your clothes with the beard, like Vinod Khanna. Definitely don't.

Ageless blunders: I know this is the age of ageless grannies (and quiet rightly) but do take care to cover up non-botoxed anatomical parts especially from the camera's eye. Or you could end up like Madonna, whose wrinkled, 40-plus hands were caught by a sneaky photographer recently! And, no, we aren't saying who in Bollywood could do with this lesson.

Little wonders: Nothing assures you of tremendous goodwill than being good to children. Anil (Kapoor) uncle and Suniel (Shetty) uncle could give all those kid-baiters a lesson or two. The screaming children were as happy as their mommies. Definitely do.