Second shot

Nana Patekar, that incredible method actor who can give every role a hard, gravelly edge, is ready to cry “action”. He has decided to don the director’s hat for a film that tells the story of a 50-year-old man who falls in love with a woman half his age. Of course, this is not the first time that Patekar has tried his hand at filmmaking. But after his maiden directorial effort Prahaar sank without a trace at the box office, Patekar licked his wounds and decided to concentrate on his acting instead. Now, more than two decades later, the actor is all set to play director again. He has written the script himself and is said to be on the lookout for the cast. No prizes for guessing who will play the lead, though. Naturally, it will be none other than Patekar himself.

Soul food

Lucky Ali knows all about multitasking. The man who sang soulful songs till a few years ago is now venturing into publishing. His Bangalore-based entertainment company will soon launch a magazine called India Live, which will focus on fresh musical talent and upcoming bands in the country. But music and entertainment are not his only preoccupations. Ali also has green fingers. He is into organic farming, and has floated a concept called “agritecture” — a combination of agriculture and architecture. “I support anything that prevents the use of fertilisers,” claims the singer-turned-farmer. Now, that too is music to our ears.

Romance redux

If you thought it was all over between Bollywood bad boy Salman Khan and the beauteous Katrina Kaif, think again. No, we are not suggesting that the two have kissed and made up and are an item again. But Khan and Kaif have done the next best thing — they have agreed to share screen space in Ek Tha Tiger, a romantic thriller from the Yash Raj Films stable. Directed by Kabir Khan, the film will be Salman’s first under the Yash Raj banner. “When Kabir and Adi (Aditya Chopra) came to me with this particular story, we just knew that this was the one. I’m honoured to be working with Yashji, who has worked so closely with my dad in the past,” Khan said. That’s all very well, but what we’d really like to know is whether the old chemistry between Kaif and her ex will start working again. Watch this space.

Lankan livewire

Move over Bipasha Basu and Mallika Sherawat. It seems Jacqueline Fernandez will scorch them right out of the competition. The oomphy Sri Lankan gal has been recruited by Mahesh Bhatt’s production company to star in its upcoming project Murder 2. And word is out that her role will be hotter and sexier than those of Basu and Sherawat in Jism and Murder, respectively. Mahesh Bhatt, at least, thinks that she is the next sex goddess in B-town. “Jacqueline Fernandez (is) the Sri Lankan wonder (who) is going to light up the Bollywood skies post Murder 2,” he tweeted recently. “She’s our Kim Basinger. She also acts well,” he gushed. Wow. Talk about hitting the jackpot. Or, should we say honeypot?

Fine fettle

Phew. Fans of Rajinikanth are heaving a sigh of relief after the 60-year-old superstar was discharged from a Chennai hospital this week. Two weeks ago the Tamil actor, who enjoys demi-god status in the south, had fallen ill on the sets of his new film Rana and was rushed to a hospital. Apparently, he was suffering from “viral infection and bronchial wheezing”. That sounds innocuous, but it was enough to send his countless fans into a frenzy of anxiety. Worried about the state of his health, they held pujas and yagnas for his speedy recovery. Well, the prayers seem to have paid off. And now that he is out of the hospital, Rajini will, one hopes, be back to delighting his fans with his inimitable, larger-than-life swagger.