BOLLYWOOD BUZZ

Anil, Ash, Akshaye in Ghai’s Taal
Subhash Ghai has finally ended all speculations over the main cast of his next film, Taal. The leading lady is Screen’s most promising newcomer award-winner for 1997, Aishwarya Rai. Cast opposite her are Anil Kapoor and Akshaye Khanna.

“It was tough choosing the right people to play what I consider are three of the most fascinating characters in Taal (The Rhythm),” admits Ghai. “That’s why it took so long.”

Taal is expected to go on the floor in May this year. AR Rahman, who composes the music, will try his hand at a vastly different score to suit the needs of a theme based in the northern regions of India. Anand Bakshi will write the lyrics.

Mani Ratnam’s next on Indira Gandhi
Farookh Dhondy, the well-known writer of Bombay Duck and Poona Company fame, and formerly, multi-cultural communications editor of Channel Four, is now working on a script on the life and times of Indira Gandhi, a film which Mani Ratnam plans to direct. Dhondy who was in India last week, to participate in a book fair, said the script was likely to become controversial. Mani Ratnam, however, is silent about his film.

T Series' logo row intensifies
The T-Series family dispute involving Bhushan Kumar, son of the slain Gulshan Kumar, and his uncle, Gopal Krishan, appears likely to end up in court if the tangle is not resolved soon.

Last week, Bhushan Kumar was quoted in the press saying he would prevent his uncle from using the T-Series logo for Rajni Industries and Gopal Soaps unless he paid a nominal royalty. He said the two companies, which were given to Krishan as per the late Gulshan Kumar’s wish, were the only ones that legally belonged to Krishan. Krishan is understood to have staked his claim on Tony Electronics and Jagdamba Electronics as per an agreement reached in December. The agreement has however been declared void.

Krishan said he was prepared to pay Rs 12 crore to his nephew and brothers, which had been forced on T-Series as the tax burden following the December agreement.

As per the deal signed between Krishan and the others, Super Cassette Industries had agreed to transfer four real-estate properties in Delhi to Krishan. Darshan Kumar is also understood to have agreed to transfer Jagdamba Electronics to him.

Star status alone won’t help: Shatrughan Sinha
JAMSHEDPUR: Shatrughan Sinha said film stars could translate their popularity into votes for political parties only if they had credibility in public life and direct involvement in politics. He was answering a question from newsmen at Sonari Airport about the growing trend of cine personalities entering politics or campaigning for parties.

Sinha accused the local police administration of not providing adequate security to him during his visit. He said he was among the 26 VIPs, who needed special protection in view of threats to life from various groups.

Sinha, who is campaigning for the BJP, said he saw a “BJP wave” in Punjab, Rajasthan, Arunachal Pradesh, Assam, Gujarat, Uttar Pradesh and Bihar while in the South the party would increase its tally.

Asked about the impact on BJP after Sonia Gandhi’s entry in active politics, he said, “she came too late and her presence is not going to hamper the BJP’s poll prospects”.

Shabana’s dance for Godmother
After several years, Shabana Azmi has done a complete dance number again — for Gramco Films’ Godmother. It was after days of rehearasls with choreographer Bhushan Lakhandri that she decided to shoot. “It was an unusual experience especially because I hadn’t danced such a dance in ages. Thanks to Bhushan and director Vinay Shukla, I was able to perform the dance number to my satisfaction,” Shabana says. The film which has Milind Gunaji and Govind Namdeo in key roles, is being shot entirely on location in Rajkot. Vishal Bharadwaj is the music director.

Script for MF Husain film ready
The internationally-known octogenarian painter, MF Husain, has completed writing the script for Gaj Gamini, the film he has conceived and plans to direct with Madhuri Dixit, the subject of some of his major paintings in recent years, in the title role. The script is complete with screenplay, dialogue, songs, visuals and every minute detail all worked out by Husain himself. Husain is now waiting for Madhuri to allot him dates so that he can start work on his “ultimate project.”

Rishi takes a break
Rishi Kapoor completed his last schedule as an actor, for producer Gurdeep Singh’s (Gawa) Karobaar. It was the only film he had left incomplete before taking off as a director with RK Films’ Aa Ab Laut Chale. Rishi however made it clear that he was not quitting films as an actor. “I am just taking a break to concentrate on my work as a director. I will be back as an actor as soon as I finish my film. I can never give up acting,” Rishi said.

Sharon Stone weds newspaper editor
Beverly Hills: Actress Sharon Stone of Basic Instinct fame married a San Francisco newspaper editor, Phil Bronstein, during a Valentine party at her Beverly Hills home, her publicist said today.

No wedding plans had been announced previously, and no details of the ceremony were made public in the brief news release by publicist Cindi Berger.

Stone, 39, a former model and musician, starred with Michael Douglas in Basic Instinct in 1992. Bronstein, 47, is the executive editor of the San Francisco Examiner.

New broadcasting rules in Hong Kong
The Hong Kong government has lifted the 49 per cent foreign ownership restriction on Satellite Uplink licence, paving way for STAR TV gain full control of its Asian operations for the first time. Brian Chau Tak-Hay, secretary for Broadcasting, Culture and Sport, who made the announcement also announced that the majority of the directors of a satellite and broadcasting company can be resident in Hong Kong would be relaxed. The subsidiaries companies too will longer be barred from becoming satellite broadcasting licence holders.