DOUBLE STANDARDS
MOVIES which used to be called flops earlier are nowadays being described as “average in Mumbai,” Karisma Kapoor and Aishwarya Rai have had several such films this year, but the media is being very kind to them. On the recent past it only needed one or two flops for the glossies to write off the top heroines. It happened to Sridevi. In Madhuri Dixit’s case, after she carried Hum Aapke Hain Koun and Raja to stupendous success, one Yaraana was enough for the press to tear her apart. Nothing like this happens to Karisma and Aishwarya. There can be two opinious about the acting ability of these girls, but there is no doubt at all that they know how to manage the media.
K Raghunath
St Thomas Mt, Chennai

ONE OF A KIND
MADHURI is one of the finest actresses the industry has produced. I agree with Anupam Kher (SCREEN, September 8) that she is the last of the actresses with a combination of beauty, charm, grace and talent. Of course, today, all those girls (who call themselves good heroines) lack the ‘deadly’ combination.

A zillion Madhuri fans will be happy she will not quit acting but, just go on and on. We await her forthcoming films, Hum Aapke Hain Sanam, Lajja, Yeh Raaste Hai Pyar Ke and Devdas.
Prema
Mannagudda, Mangalore

SOUTHERN SPICE
I am a regular reader of your weekly, and have found it to be very informative on the film industry, with the latest news. But the coverage given to the Tamil film industry, which happens to be the second largest in India, is grossly inadequate. Hardly half a page is all it gets, when surely it deserves more.
Though many Tamil journals are available giving the latest information at low costs, there is not a single English journal didicated to the South Indian film industry. Hence, you could go one step further and start a sister concern dedicated to the southern stars and movies.
A Haris
KK Nagar, Chennai

MADAM PHOenIX, INDEED
YOUR cover story, “Madam Phoenix in all her glory,” (SCREEN, October 13) was worth repeated reading. Tabu, Farha’s younger sister, is going places with her acting. Her role in Maachis and Hu Tu Tu were critically acclaimed. She also bagged the coveted national and SCREEN awards in a short span of time.
Her latest Mahesh Manjrekar offering Astitva is the talk of the town. Here’s wishing her all the best.
TR Anand,
Budge Trunk Rd, Sarangabad

SHE’S GOT TO BE CHOOSY
THANKS for the cover story on Tabu (SCREEN, October 13). I have been a great fan of Tabu’s from her first film Coolie No. 1 (Telugu) and Vijaypath. She came up with great performances in films like Virasat, Hu Tu Tu and Maachis. But I am disappointed that she agrees to take up B and C grade films sometimes.
Sudhakar Tekumalla
GNT Road, Nellore

POINTS OVERLOOKED
THIS has reference to the cover story on Sunil Shetty (SCREEN, October, 6). The interview with the beefy hunk-turned-actor made interesting ropy.
With regard to Shetty’s change of image, I’ve two things to point out. Firstly, it’s not just from Hu Tu Tu and Hera Pheri that he’s embarked on the change of image. He’s been making conscious efforts right from the beginning of his career. He played a witty lawyer in Takkar and an obsessed lover in Gaddar and of course, more recently, a romantic in Bade Dilwala. But since those films weren’t successful, he wasn’t given the credit.

And secondly, how could Mr Balwaan forget Border when asked about the turning point of his career? Did he forget he was literally finished when all of a sudden Border happened in which he won acceptance from all sections of the audience?
Ambar Prakash
Varadarajpet, Chennai

SHETTY ACT II
I went through your cover story on Sunil Shetty “Reinventing to stay alive” (SCREEN, October 6). Sunil’s metamorphosis from an action hero to versatile actor has really fascinated his innumerable fans all over the country. As he points out, he has never repeated his mistakes and groomed himself into an actor of substance. His robust physique and right choice of films have placed him in an enviable position. I look forward to his forthcoming film Yeh Tera Ghar Yeh Mera Ghar.
Jyotiranjan Biswal
Durgapur, Orissa

FACELIFT FOR DD
THE Nine India Gold-hosted programmes on DD Metro are superb. They entertain people of all ages, from 6 to 60. A lot of programmes such as comedies, daily soaps, music quizzes, game shows and Superhit Muqabla make DD Metro a watchable channel.
VN Namboothiripad
Vazhuthacaud, Trivandrum