SHORT TAKES

STRICTLY UNDER WRAPS
We don’t know yet if Vidhu Vinod Chopra’s Shabana will be a patch on Shabana Azmi. But the star aspirant has certainly excited a fair share of publicity primarily because Vinod has kept her so much under wraps. We’ve only caught fleeting, tantalising glimpses of the mystery lady so far in snatches of songs on the telly. But so far, few from the fourth estate have come face-to-face with her. We had the pleasure recently. After visiting Vinod when we suddenly buzzed Vinod’s office for some stills, the door was opened by none other than the pretty woman. Dressed casually in jeans and a T-shirt, Shabana who was all set to go for a trial soon after, was clearly taken aback. Must say Vinod has trained her well because as soon as she realised she was in the presence of a journo and a lenser, she made a dash for the balcony and refused to face us again.

AGEING GRACEFULLY
Nafisa Ali is one helluva beautiful lady who knows just how to age gracefully. With her dignified pearls, off-white saris and a luxurious mane which is more salt than pepper, Nafisa is the epitome of understated elegance. And while heroines half her age would be wondering just how best to hide their errant grey strands, Nafisa is proudly sporting every one of them. “I like it this way and I want to keep it this way,” she smiles fingering her tresses.

MUM’S THE WORD
Jaya Bachchan has been playing a mother for so long that mothering comes oh-so-naturally to her. The other day she caught sight of music director Anand Raaj Anand’s lil’ daughter wandering around uncertainly with her hair band in her hand at a party. The band had slipped off and the moppet had no idea how to slip it back in place. Going down on her hunches so she could be eye-to-eye with the lil’ miss, Mrs Bachchan asked her gently, “Would you like that back on?” And when she nodded, Jaya pushed it back in place and smoothening her hair smiled, “There isn’t that lovely?” A while later, her own son strode upto her and told her he was on his way out. Immediately, Jaya quipped, “Have you eaten?” Her beta insisted he wasn’t hungry but Jaya made sure he had a samosa to nibble on before she would let the Small B get away.

CAMERA SHY
Talking of Abhishek, did you know that the young man was very camera shy? At every function he’s at pains to avoid the shutterbugs. Of course, the lensers cannot be kept at bay by Abhishek’s reluctance. They trail him furtively all over the place, clicking madly. And everytime another flash explodes in his eye, the Aakhri Mughal sighs, “Why don’t you wait a while? You’ll soon get plenty of opportunities to shoot me.” Sorry Abhishek, but these guys surely believe that practice makes one perfect.

A TRIUMPH FOR TINNU
Tinnu Anand has been very ill all through the making of Major Saab. The successful completion of the film is a triumph for him. And his perseverance drew a compliment from none other than the Major Saab himself at the bash when the songs of the film were screened for the press. Heart problems notwithstanding, Tinnu Anand is obviously a man with a big heart. Right, Mr Bachchan?

BIG AND BUSY
Abhishek’s papa meanwhile is in quite a tizzy these days. What with all his shoots— for films and ad films— the Big B has to do with only a couple of hours of sleep everyday. But he’s not complaining. And certianly doesn’t look any worse from it. You’ll soon see him in a new BPL ad. He was shooting for it with it Santosh Sivan recently. And he’s just been snapped up by Pepsi to promote Mirinda Lemon. Which just goes to prove that the Bachchan’s still very BIG.

PARESH MIFFED
Paresh Rawal is miffed with Dandnayak . Despite all the hype and hoopla, the film didn’t make much of an impression. And even Paresh himself isn’t too happy with his portrayal of the Bihar supremo, Laloo Prasad Yadav. The get-up may have been quite impressive but Paresh’s Laloo turned out to be such a parody of the real thing that even the ex-CM had no trouble shrugging it off. And Paresh has done the same. Shrugged it off, we mean.

INTO CASHEW FARMING NOW
Atul Agnihotri is into cashew farming these days. His friend Naved Antulay who owns many orchards of export quality mangoes, has coaxed him to try his hand at this for a change and Atul spends some quality time at his farm near Alibag. “And it’s a pretty fruitful exercise,” he admits.