Rajini cameo

One Badshah can’t say no to another. So even though he is still recuperating from his recent illness, southern superstar Rajinikanth flew to Mumbai to shoot a cameo for Shah Rukh Khan’s upcoming sci-fi superhero thriller RA.One. Rajini’s fans were jubilant at his reappearance. But the fact is that their beloved idol is still not 100 per cent fit. That is why shooting for Rajini’s home production, Rana, has been postponed. “The scenes require Rajnikanth to ride horses. It is a strenuous role and he needs to be completely fit. We don’t want to take any risks,” says a member of the Rana production team. Clearly, for the moment Rajini’s legions of fanatical fans will have to be content with his fleeting appearance in RA.One.

Southern surprise

Does the name Adaminte Makan Abu ring a bell? It happens to be the name of Malayalam director Salim Ahamed’s film that has won a slew of national awards and was recently chosen as India’s entry for the Oscars. Yet strangely, no Bollywood director has come forward to buy the Hindi remake rights of the film as yet. The film tells the story of an elderly couple who can’t rustle up the money to go on Haj. So is Bollywood only interested in remaking south Indian masala films like Bodyguard, asks a cynical Salim. However, he is now upbeat about the fact that his film is going to the Oscars. “Its subject is universal and it’s sure to appeal to international audiences,” he says confidently. Well, if that happens, the Bollywood blokes are sure to come calling on Salim.

Dying ditty

Jagjit Singh’s passing has left a tragic void in the world of ghazal. But his admirers will get one last opportunity to listen to a new song by the master of the mellifluous. Singh recorded a song for a Marathi film called Anandache Dohi directed by Ashish Ubale about seven months ago. The as yet unheard song, called Tuzhya mule aala, nava arth majhya jeevanala, will no doubt be a haunting reminder of the genius of Singh and the way he made magic out of music.

Sad Bebo

She may not be married to Saif Ali Khan yet. But hey, that doesn’t prevent her from mourning the tragedy in her sasural-to-be. That’s what Kareena Kapoor is doing after Mansur Ali Khan Pataudi, the father of her boyfriend, passed away recently. So much so that Bebo, the hot babe of Bollywood, refused to wear a red sari (like the one in the picture) during the shoot of Diwali Rishton Ki Mithas, a special show to be aired on Star Plus between October 17 and 22. Kapoor requested the stylist to do her costume in sober pastel shades as befits a person in mourning. How nice.

Jeet treat

If Bollywood does it, can Tollywood be far behind? Bengali movie star Jeet, who has several hits to his credit, is following in the footsteps of Amitabh Bachchan, Shah Rukh Khan, Salman Khan et al, to host a game show on television. The actor is all set to anchor Koti Takaar Baji, a show on Star Jalsa. Based on the American game show Million Dollar Money Drop, Jeet’s television debut vehicle went on air yesterday. “I am extremely thrilled and excited to be part of such a novel conceptualised international format game show. I am sure that it will be well accepted, appreciated and loved,” said Jeet. No doubt his many fans in Bengal will tune in to watch their favourite hero dole out the lolly to a lucky few.