CALLING KASTURI
THIS is with reference to your write-up, "Mastermind in Waiting," published in "Short Takes" (SCREEN, October 13). Kasturi’s sensational success in Siddharth Basu’s Mastermind India has dispelled the myth that our glamourous heroines are devoid of brains and general awareness. Although it is a fact that some of them are quite oblivious of their immediate surroundings, the new generation of heroines have proved they are better informed. I sure would love to see her on the Big B quiz, Kaun Banega Crorepati.
Jyotiranjan Biswal
Durgapur, Orissa

MAN FOR THE COVER
SCREEN has been and always will be my favourite magazine. But for quite some time now, I’ve been feeling miserable and frustrated because SCREEN has not featured my favourite hero, Dev Anand on the cover. Care to oblige me, now, SCREEN?
Semwal Nirmal
Dehra Dun

GOSSIP CAN WAIT
KUDOS for the blow-up of the charming Twinkle Khanna (SCREEN, October 13), which was simply marvellous. A talented actress, she was initially branded a jinxed actress. She has proved her acting and dancing skills through her movies. I hope she isn’t distracted by all the gossip linking her with Akshay. Romance can wait, for at this stage, her career ought to come first.
Prashant Mukund
Thalikkavu, Kannoor

ONE FOR HER HERO
AS a die-hard Shah Rukh fan, I’m very upset by the regular negative articles in SCREEN, about my all-time favourite hero, who is not only a good actor but also a very honest, kind and straight forward person. I can’t understand why the media is becoming aggressively anti-Shah Rukh.
In the October 13 issue of SCREEN RK Sarma has said in his letter that Josh is being falsely proclaimed as a hit. How dare he insult Shah Rukh’s star power without verifying the truth?
Mitali Swain
Bhubaneshwar, Orissa

A REGRESSION IN TIME
THE censors were probably more modern and liberal during the 50s and 60s than they are today, particularly when in the comedies, jokes pointedly focussed on brassieres and stuff.
Today, they would probably not think twice before suggesting cuts for the very same scenes and lines. In several European countries, notably Italy, late night TV shows provide a lot of entertainment, focussed on bras and other lingerie, which are very popular.
May be we are too conscious of our morality or our politicians and women’s organisations feel such humour is offensive. But the point is, if such scenes were not censored in the past why this turn around especially at a time when the female anatomy is over-exposed in a lot of movies transmitted by the foreign TV channels. Are we progressing or regressing?
Mahesh Kumar
Connaught Place, New Delhi

MILLENNIUM’S MAN
MANY happy returns of the day to the star of the millennium, Amitabh Bachchan (October 11). I have been a great fan of AB’s, especially for his performances in films like Amar Akbar Anthony, Muqaddar Ka Sikander, Deewaar and Sholay.
And my belated congratulations to the staff of SCREEN on its 50th anniversary.
Srinivasa Rao
Doddanagudde, Uduppi

AN AWARD FOR THE LADY
LATELY, there have been some letters in SCREEN about Madhuri Dixit not winning a national award as yet. She was of course very much in contention for Mrityudand, and she came close to winning it for HAHK. In mid ’95 I read in SCREEN a member of the awards jury saying that the chairman, Chetan Anand, wanted the award to go to Madhuri, but the views of the Bengal contingent prevailed. For Anjaam, too, Madhuri was in contention. In fact the producer got the film cleared by the censors on December 31, 1993 so that she could be eligible.
Another award worthy performance of Madhuri was in Prem Pratiggya. If only South Indian filmmakers then were as fashionable in Bombay as Mani Ratnam, Priyadarshani and Co. are row, there would have been a lot of hype about Madhuri in that Bapu-directed film and she would have picked up several awards, may be even the national for it.
K Raghunath
St Thomas Mt, Chennai

THE SHOW’S A DUD
ZEE TV was hoping to take on Star Plus Kaun Banega Crorepati with the similar show, Sawal Dus Crore Ka. If there is anyone who can match Amitabh Bachchan’s star power and charisma it is Madhuri Dixit, so they wanted her to host the show but she declined the offer. It was a wise decision on her put. Sawal Dus Crore Ka is a tacky show which is a very poor imitation of KBC. Anupam Kher who was finally picked to host the show is highly irritating and Manisha Koirala is needless addition to the furniture. Anupam Kher is said to have signed a contract for 156 episodes. It is doubtful is the show in its present form will last that long.
RK Sarma
RA Puram, Chennai