It’s his first interview ever. And he’s not the least nervous or apprehensive. For nearly a year the most eagerly awaited debutant of the new millennium has been ducking press queries. Now, when the embargo has finally dissolved, ABHISHEK BACHCHAN seems ready to take on the inevitable comparisons with his legendary parents. There’s a certain maturity and stability about him, qualities that are rare in a young man who’s barely out of his teens. But then Abhishek is no solemn partycrasher either. I am told Abhishek is a great prankster, but only when the cameras and dictaphones are switched off. All set to carve a unique place for himself under the burning arclights, hopefully as unique as the niches Amitabh and Jaya Bachchan have found, Abhishek speaks on what it means to be his parents’ son. And how he intends to create his own place, beyond the legacy he’s inherited...

37th Maharashtra State Marathi Film Festival

The 37th Maharashtra State Marathi Film Festival was held on April 30 at the Dadaji Kondadeo Stadium, Thane. This annual festival at which awards for the best Marathi films produced in the previous year as well as awards for the bests in other categories are presented to the winners is usually held in Mumbai but this year the honour was given to Thane.

Mandira Bedi

Back in the fast lane
Mandira Bedi’s career began with a bang on August 15, 1994, with India’s first daily soap Shanti. She did 780 episodes of the serial as its main protagonist and carried the soap on her shoulders.