TU TU MAIN MAIN

It was just a coincidence that Sachin and Supriya who were invited to present the Marathi Awards were backstage at the same time as Reema who was one of the jury members and a contender for the Award for Best Supporting Actress for Nidaan. It was inevitable that they would bump into each other and the saas and bahu would spend some time catching up. And it was not surprising that a wit would spot them and quip with wry humour, “Tu tu main main” even though Reema and Supriya were not quibbling. Sachin of course, took the pert observation as a compliment to the popularity of his long running serial.

THE WOW WOMAN
Once Reena Wadhwa had won the television Best Actress Award for a power-packed performance in Aatish she couldn’t wait to get away and celebrate. And hubby understanding her feelings was ready to make a quick exit half-way through the show. But as they were nearing the gate an announcement stopped Mr Wadhwa in his tracks. Master of ceremonies Rahul Khanna invited Madhuri Dixit to take over and felicitate Lata Mangeshkar who was being given a special award in memory of the late Mallika-e-Tarranum, Noorjehan. It was obvious that the oh-so-glamorous Reena’s husband is a die hard fan of the Dixit because he stopped abruptly and whistled under his breathed, “Madhuri? Wow!” Reena who heard the exclamation turned to him and asked with a smile, “Hey, what was that?” Hubby dearest smiled back and allowed Reena to hurry him away. The best actress couldn’t take the chance of him seeing Madhuri in all her black-and-gold brocaded glory. One look at her and he might have insisted on sitting through the show.

PICTURE PERFECT
Shruti Ulfat was a vision in white. In fact, one look at her and you knew she’d spent long hours in front of the mirror getting ready for the Big Nite. She was one of the contenders for the television Best Actress Award for Sony’s I Love you and there were many in the audience who would have liked to say “I love you” to her. She smiled and shimmered even when she lost out on the golden lady and some time during the evening slipped off back stage to get herself clicked with Mrinal Kulkarni who had bagged the award for Best Actress for the Marathi film, Jodidar. Shruti has a picture perfect face and obviously loves getting her picture taken at award functions. Last year, she got herself clicked with the Big B and then turned up at the office personally to pick up these for-the-album pixs.

A TALE OF TWO CHIEFS
One of the first guests to arrive was Mumbai Doordarshan’s chief, Mukesh Sharma. Mukesh who turned up with family made sure he was well in time for the television awards. And close on his heels followed Rathikant Basu. Basu is now the chief of Tara channel but not so long ago one would have bumped into him in Mandi House corridors. Basu came alone. And stayed alone. He and Sharma never found the opportunity to catch up.

TIME TIME KI BAAT
Surekha Sikri made a rare appearance. Smiling and sedate, this sensitive actress was one of the hottest contenders for a small screen honour for her fine-tuned act in Samay. She looked sorely disappointed when Reena Wadhwa walked away with the coveted Best Actress award and decided to make an early exit. At the gate one could overhear her friends loudly voicing their feelings of injustice. Surekha sushed them up with a quiet, “It happens!” It’s this good sport quality that makes her so special!

EK KAPOOR KI KAHANI
Ektaa Kapoor is the most wah wahed magic box producer with her two daily soaps, Kahani Ghar Ghar Ki and Kyonki Saas Bhi Kabhi Bahu Thi topping the ratings and occasionally nudging Kaun Banegi Crorepati from the top spot. So, it was understandable that Ektaa had her hopes up when she turned up on the Big Nite. Unfortunately, the award went to Kadam (Breast Cancer) but Ektaa, the well-behaved girl that she is, didn’t crib or cry, didn’t snarl or sigh. She smiled sportingly and after sitting through a few acts left quietly.

ROY BOY SLIPS IN
Since Rohit Roy was not one of the nominees he didn’t have special passes. But Roy being Roy wanted to rub shoulders with the select crowd and tried to slip into the nominees enclosure by trying to pass himself as a nominee. But he ran into a vigilant brigade who knew everyone of the nominees and also knew that Roy wasn’t one. Roy flashed a sheepish grin when he was found out and strolled away. But he was back soon. This time he offered another reason to slip in with the VVIPs. “I have to collect Best Supporting Actor, Sharad Kapoor’s award, in case he wins,” he informed. We had to salaute Roy for his inventiveness... and rewarded him by letting him in.