Passtime of the Week

When three Bolly babes bitch and backbite about one another you can hear the screeching and meeowing from a mile. Riya and Koena got their claws out with Koena lashing Riya for meeowing about Koena’s ‘plastic surgery’ ? which, of course, Riya denied. Later, Riya apologised to Koena explaining that it was actually Tanushree Datta who’d been spreading the washroom secret. Then a message from Koena at 3 am left Tanu all het up since Riya had pointed a finger at her! Tanu was clueless as to how she got dragged into this mess. Riya used to be Tanu’s party-hopping pal, you know! Then Tanu had got to know that Riya was spreading muck about her. So, six months back she had severed all relations with the little messball. Now each one is going berserk badmouthing each other.

A painting of Sugunabai by painter Raja Ravi Varma and Madhuri Dixit in Devdas

Maddy’s brush with cinema again

She was Husain’s Gajagamini. And now she’ll light up the silver screen once again as artist Raja Ravi Varma’s muse. Madhuri Dixit seems to have finally found an apt comeback vehicle. Tentatively titled, Suryamukhi, the film is by the internationally acclaimed filmmaker Shaji N. Karun and is based on the fascinating life of Raja Ravi Varma. Shaji found Ravi Varma’s story a bit unusual ? a scion of the royal family of Travancore in Kerala, more inclined towards paintbrushes than the royal life, left royalty, wife and children in Kerala, to become a painter in Mumbai. He used to paint gods and goddesses and his model-muse was one Sugunabai, whom he met in Mumbai. She later became his mistress. After Ravi Varma’s affair with Suguna ended he also stopped painting goddesses though he continued painting. According to Shaji, Maddy has a fleeting resemblance to Sugunabai who was a beautiful woman of Goan-Maratha lineage. And Maddy’s versatility can easily carry the fine lines of the character is Shaji’s belief. Looks like another picture-perfect comeback!

Kangana

Wounded Bolly babes

Getting hurt on the sets is becoming the ‘in thing’ for ladies in Bollywood lately. The trendsetter is, of course, Aishwarya. Kangana, just one film into the industry, had cut her lips twice while shooting for her first film, Gangster. Now again on the sets of Woh Lamhe she’s cut her foot badly.Then there is Tabu, who has cut her thigh on the sets of Cheeni Kam, however she managed to do that! Luckily, that day her costar Amitabh Bachchan was a bit feverish and the shoot was put on hold. Tabu got a couple of days rest before resuming work.

Vidya Balan

Chilling costars

Vidya Balan kept herself locked in her makeup van. Aishwarya Rai kept herself locked in her makeup van. Only problem, they were on the same set, Mani Ratnam’s Guru, but neither of them spoke to each other. They spoke to the other cast, of course ? Mithun and Madhavan ? but kept as much distance possible between themselves. Seems Ash is a bit heartbroken ? and the cause is Vidya. Actually, Vidya got one-up on Ash when Shaad Ali chose Vidya for his new film, Jhoom Barabar Jhoom. Abhishek had been lobbying for Ash like mad, but Shaad had his heart set on Vidya. So the Ice Maiden just turned on the freezer on the sets. Let’s wait and see van they will make up!

SPOTLIGHT

Zulfi Syed

Zulfi Syed, Taj ke baad

After having won accolades for his performance in Akbar Khan’s Taj Mahal, model-turned-actor Zulfi Syed is looking forward to doing some Pakistani film now. “After watching Taj Mahal, producers out there were so impressed that they offered me films then and there,” says a brimming Zulfi. “But till the time things don’t materialise fully, I don’t want to make an announcement.”

Speaking about his experience in Pakistan, Zulfi says, “It has been one of my most memorable experiences. I enjoyed being there. The response in Pakistan was simply amazing. People came to meet us. They were so eager to see an Indian film. We have created history by bridging the gap between the two countries with this film after a span of so many years.”

Apart from plans to cross borders, the chocolate box actor is all set to woo the audience with his cool performance in Mr Hot and Mr Kool. “I am a cool guy and I am playing the role of Mr Kool in the film.” Zulfi gives an insight into this film, “I accepted the role because it relates to my character. The character is very relaxed and chilled out. I play the role of Laxman Prasad who is lovingly called Lucky by his friends.” And how cool is the character in film? Zulfi laughs and says, “Certainly not to the extent of removing his shirt on the screen. I hate to do that.”

Though he had a disastrous beginning with films like Pyaasa, Chupke Se and Wajaah, the otherwise shy actor looks confident now. “Well, it’s past now and I don’t want to talk about it. Let’s talk more about my forthcoming films. I have become comfortable with the camera and am looking forward to better work. Taj Mahal gave me a lot of experience,” he says.

According to Zulfi, he has a list of forthcoming films, which includes Raj Sippy’s Jimmy, Deepak Bahry’s Achanak and Akbar Khan’s next two films, Taxi Driver and Changez Khan. “My character in Jimmy has grey shades,” informs the actor adding that he has a parallel role to Mimoh, Mithun’s son. But isn’t it a stark contrast to his soft romantic looks and image? “Well,” he clarifies. “When I grow a stubble it makes a lot of difference to my image. And I think the normal mould of a villain is changing in Indian films. We don’t need wigs and get-ups to look mean. The trend has changed now.”

Well, Zulfi, this is not the first time when you have a list of announced-but-not-yet-started films. Is the fact that “these so-called announced films might not take off” the real reason behind your eagerness to cross borders and do Pakistani films? At least, they will be made once announced. Plus, unlike India, people in that country have accepted you as an actor after the screening of your magnum opus, Taj Mahal. So, way to go!