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Short Takes

WHO beckons

Here’s a man on the move. Now that Dr. Ambedkar has started reaping awards by the bushel, director Jabbar Patel is already on to the next project. This time he is out to make five public service films for the World Health Organisation. The subject? AIDS. And who do you think he plans to cast in one of these films. He’s toying with the idea of roping in La Dix, but when reports last came in Mads hadn’t bitten the bait, yet.

Double dose

Action man Ajay Devgan has morphed into an actor par excellence. He has proved himself amply by bagging coveted awards including Screen Videocon, and the national award for his sensitive performance in Mahesh Bhatt’s directorial swansong Zakhm. His position at the b.o. has been fortified following the success of Hum Dil De Chuke Sanam. Not surprising, if Devgan is being regarded as a prize catch in the film circuit these days.

Further proof of his histrionic prowess comes in the form of two projects in which he’s playing a double role. In Deepak Shivdasani’s Yeh Raaste Hain Pyar Ke which runs along the lines of classic Dev Anand starrer Hum Dono, Ajay has two leading ladies viz Madhuri and Twinkle (replacing Karisma). The other film that features Ajay yet again in a double avtaar is Harry Baweja’s Urmila-Mahima starrer Deewane. Devgan is indeed doing doubly well for himself.

The Champ

It has taken Padam Kumar a while to can his Sunny-Manisha starrer Champion but the inordinate delay hasn’t really ruffled the man. He’s brimming with confidence about his film,”This is the last schedule of Champion and the end result is great. I am really pleased with the way the film has shaped out,” he enthuses. Paddu, as he’s known to his friends, has had a rather bumpy ride in Bollywood. What with his Sunny-Aishwarya starrer Indian being shelved and Champion in the making for all this while. Padam Kumar has braved the vagaries of the film industry most gallantly. He has turned a producer now with the launch of Rinke-Rampal starrer Supari, a hard-hitting film focussing on the involvement of the youth with the underworld. Courageous and persevering, that’s Paddu for you.

Promises to keep

Muscle man Sunil Shetty mayn’t have succeeded in shifting the gear from action to emotion with Hu Tu Tu and Bade Dilwala but that hasn’t miffed our man at all. Shetty is sure of making a comeback and redeeming his acting credentials. He says he’s learnt a trick or two from Gulzar during Hu Tu Tu that will come handy in the future. “I have some interesting films lined up - J P Dutta’s Refugee may be Abhishek Bachchan’s flick but I have a significant part in it too. Then there’s a slightly negative shade that I portray in Dhadkan,” he elaborates. Besides Priyan’s Hera Pheri, Shetty also has offers from Ram Gopal Varma and Rajiv Rai. Bankable projects no doubt.

Havan for Dillagi

Here’s a Dharam fan who’s in a league of his own. A school teacher by profession Anant Shimpi, a resident of Kalambeshwar, dist. Dhulia, is an ardent follower of Dharmendra and sons. “I don’t set out before having darshan of one of the Deol men on the TV. I have watched Dharmaji’s Sholay, Chupke Chupke, Jugnoo, Sunny’s Ghatak, Ghayal, Damini and Bobby’s Barsaat, Gupt, Soldier several times over. I just worship them,” enthuses Shimpi.

He has started a havan at the famous pilgrim centre of Kalambeshwar, he’s offering prayers for the success of Sunny’s directorial debut Dillagi. With fans like that, can the Deols ask for anything more?

Bargain offer

For his directorial debut Maa Tujhe Salaam, stunt master Tinnu Verma has signed up buddy Sunny and he’s driving a hard bargain with Tabu. “This is a fiery role for the heroine, tailor-made for Tabu. I am trying to convince her, hope she sees reason,” says Verma. Tabu isn’t signing on the dotted line as yet, price is the deterrent factor. The haggling goes on and we will keep you informed if they strike a bargain.

Supari senorita

Quashing all rumours about Rinke Khanna’s exit from his maiden production Supari, filmmaker Padam Kumar asserts,”Rinke is certainly playing the lead in my film and in no way has she been replaced by Manisha. Although Ms Koirala also features in a parallel role in the film. It’s about a disillusioned collegian played by Arjun Rampal who gets drawn into the dark realm of the underworld,” he explains.

While on Rinke, whose debut disaster hasn’t exactly opened new vistas in the filmdom. Big sis Twinkle rushes to her defence,”She’s done theatre, she’s got it in her. Give her a chance,” she urges. Her concern is almost touching, we must admit.

Green beans

Guess who’s showing up in a Shyam Benegal? Industry buzz is that Meghna Kothari - she of Prem Aggan fame - has been cast in Shyambabu’s latest Hari Bhari. And lined up against her are such “acting” heavyweights as Shabana Azmi, Rajeshwari Sachdev, Seema Biswas, Nandita Das and Smrita Mishra. Only Shayam Benegal knows where Meghna features in a scheme that also includes this fantastic foursome, but he ain’t telling. The buzz is also that the film is a “sensitive” look at women who are infertile. Interesting, ain’t it? So, what does Meghna play? A fertility goddess, perhaps?

Cocktail pleasure

She caused quite a flutter with the raunchy lyrics of Darwaza khula chod aayi in Najaayaz. Pushpa bagged several awards for her songs. Not surprising for someone who is a post graduate in Hindi literature. Pushpa has to her credit two books, comprising geets and ghazals entitled Khwabon ki Aabroo and Tumhare Liye. Currently, she is working on two more books. And that isn’t all, the lady also dabbles in acting. She has a theatre background and she has featured in films as well as serials. Pushpa claims that she enjoyed playing the comic role of Gangubai in Kohraam. She can’t stop talking about the opportunity of working with Amitabh Bachchan. But with Nana she shares a special rapport since the Wajood days. She loved working with Govinda in Haseena Maan Jayegi because she thinks he’s “so disciplined”. That’s one compliment that has eluded Govinda hitherto. This must make his day, right Chi Chi?

Singer Khan

Caught hunky Arbaz Khan belting out a Hello Brother number recently on the telly. He was being interviewed by sensuous Malaika on her own show and hubby dearest enlivened the proceedings by breaking into a song impromptu and well in-synch. Wonder why bhai Sohail settled for Salman rather than the musically endowed sibling of his for the soundtrack of his latest offering. Hello brother , are you listening?