Short Takes

MILES TO GO, HRITHIK
It's just the kind of success any doting father would have scripted for his son. Following the block-busting success of Kaho Na... Pyar Hai, the apple of Rakesh Roshan’s eye, son Hrithik, has become hot property overnight. Hrithik movies currently on the floors continue to quote fancy prices, what with distributors quick to sense a goldmine. And neither Hrithik nor the producers are complaining.

That’s not all. The pundits in the industry and the media have been working overtime, comparing him with the Khan triumvirate of Aamir, Salman and Shah Rukh. Some even predict that Hrithik’s growth could well spell the Khans’ decline. The Khan monopoly is passe, they say, and you know who’s ‘in.’

But Hrithik will buy none of it. He’d rather wait before he uncorks the champagne. Says he, “It’s simply preposterous to compare me with proven actors like Aamir, Salman and Shah Rukh. They’ve proved their mettle in film after film, while I’m still a one-trick wonder. Only one of my films has been released. So I still have a long way to go before I can merit a mention with the Khans in the same breath.”

PLAIN, OLD AKKI
The grapevine has it that Akshay Kumar has changed his name to Akshay Bhatia. Rumour-mongers say the change of name has been prompted by the “low phase” in Akshay’s career. It’s ages since the Khiladi Kumar last had a blockbuster against his name, and numerologists have been suggesting a change of name, to placate Dame Fortune.

Akshay merely laughs off the rumour. “I’ve done nothing of the sort,” he chuckles. “Why would I add Bhatia to my name, when I already am a Bhatia (Rajiv Bhatia happens to be Akshay‘s real name, remember)?”
Well, believe it or not, Akki’s pleased as punch with the way his career has been going. His market value may have dipped a fair bit in recent times, but Akki sure has no dearth for exciting roles. Among his forthcoming attractions are Priyadarshan‘s Hera Pheri, Abbas-Mustan‘s next, Deepa Mehta‘s controversial Water and Dharmesh Darshan‘s Dhadkan. “My last film, Jaanwar did quite well at the box-office. So who says I’m a jinxed performer? I’m happy as can be as plain old Akshay Kumar,” he insists.


OH FOR A LADY WITH A FUNNY BONE!
When Manoj Bajpai turned down a role in Kundan Shah’s Kasam Se, the superstar of TV, Shekhar Suman stepped in to fill the breach. But now, the director has a fresh problem on his hands — no heroine has agreed to be cast opposite Shekhar Suman.

Says Kundan, “Yes, it’s true we’re finding it difficult to finalise a heroine with Shekhar. But the real reason is, we want an actress with comic timing. The film’s laden with comic punches, and it could fall flat if we don’t get hold of the right actress.”

Shekhar’s an old hand at hilarity, and matching him, stride for outrageous stride, is gonna take some doing.

So pass the news on. Shah’s looking high and low for a lady with a funny bone. And if you, fair reader, have what it takes, you know whom to tinkle.

AJAY’S NO GHOST!
His current obsession, apart from wife Kajol, of course, is Raju Chacha. The film, being directed by Ajay’s cousin, Anil Devgan, has been making brisk progress. But rumour is rife that Ajay has been ghost-directing the film.

Ajay denies trying to shoot from his cousin’s shoulder. “The rumours are baseless. Anil is a very capable boy. If I didn’t have faith enough in his ability, I’d never have entrusted him such a huge responsibility. That would have been too much of a gamble,” says Ajay.

Ajay insists he is happy with Anil as skipper on the sets. “If I wished to direct a movie, why wouldn’t I do it openly? When I turn director, I will take the entire credit for the success or failure of my film. Now, that’s a promise,” adds Ajay.


DREAM COME TRUE
Preitty Zinta is a great fan of Aamir Khan’s. That’s why she was highly disappointed when she had to nix Aamir’s home production, Lagaan. The reason was, Aamir wanted four months of her dates at a stretch, which Preity was unable to shell out.

Now she has reasons to smile: she has just signed Farhan Akthar’s next, in which she’s pitted against her favourite actor. And considering Aamir’s agreed to do the film with her, theirs could well be a mutual admiration society.

‘ARRIVAL’ AWAITED
When Jackie Shroff announced his new film, Jis Desh Mein Ganga Rehta Hai, soothsayers had a field day. They predicted he was asking for disaster, especially since it featured Govinda in a lead role. For, Govinda, as was widely known at the time, was a habitual “delayer.”
People said that like Jackie’s other production, Grahan, this film, too, would be long in the making. But Jackie’s had the last laugh, thanks to the reformed Chi Chi he’s had to work with. Today, the film is eighty per cent in the cans. And, says a beaming Jackie, “It’s all thanks to Govinda. Not only did he give me his dates at a stretch, he even reported to the sets on time, and gave me no reasons to complain. I’m eternally indebted to him.” So touch wood, Jis Desh Mein Ganga Rehta Hai seems well on course to hitting the screens as scheduled. And Jackie, the producer, will hopefully, have arrived. At long last, too.

NEW ROLE FOR ANUPAM
He's had his sights set on turning director for a long while now. And he’s made no bones of it. Not too long ago, he announced his directorial debut after he’d finalised the script, and even got the redoubtable Amitabh Bachchan to feature in it.

Unfortunately, things didn’t quite work out the way he’d expected them to. And the project had to be shelved till a favourable opportunity presented itself. It finally has, or so Anupam reckons.

No, the Big B isn’t playing the lead role in Anupam’s movie, titled Aatma. And moves are afoot to flesh out Aatma with the right cast and credits. Watch this space for more on Anupam’s debut vehicle.

JANTAR MANTAR, INDEED!
Fast work? That’s right. That’s just what Sunil Shetty’s labour of love, the audio cassette, Jantar Mantar has been. True to its name, copies of the album have been vanishing off the shelves with magic speed. And keeping up with the demand has taken some doing.

Admits Shetty, “I’m no singer, but I decided to bring out this album for the sake of the underprivileged kids. And all the earnings from the cassettes will go towards charity.”

Talented soprano he certainly isn’t. Which is why he’s just as surprised as the rest of us with the overnight success of his first album. It will not be the last time we’ve heard him croon. For he’s committed to more such albums and stage shows. All for the children he loves so dear. Bravo, Sunil!

THE SONGSTER BUG
Yes, Sunil Shetty isn’t the last of the matinee hunks, after Aamir Khan and Sanjay Dutt, who’ve begun to fancy the magic of their vocal chords. The singing bug’s latest casualty? Well, look no further. It’s none other than the veritable Khan, Shah Rukh, himself.

Mercifully, the Khan isn’t bringing out an entire album, unlike Shetty. Like it or lump it, it’s only one solitary track, for Mansoor Khan’s new film, Josh. Well, for the time being, at least. Another Aati Kya you-know-where in the making? You’ll never know!

Compiled by Shaju George Alex With inputs from Alok Mathur