Bare necessity

Fasten your seat belts — Kangana Ranaut is to do a Full Monty for her first Telegu film. The actress is now shooting for the film, directed by Puri Jagannath, in Hyderabad. A source reveals that the actress agreed to do a nude scene — apparently the script demanded it — after she was paid a whopping amount. And it has been made clear that a body double will not be used for the shot. It is, of course, not the first time that Kangana will be shedding clothes all for a scene. She had earlier appeared in a semi-nude state in the horror flick Raaz 2. Clearly, clothes are out; skin is in.

 

So Sufi

Until now, she was widely known for her views and columns on everything from women’s issues to Islam. And now, as if to take her vocation one step further, writer and mediaperson Sadia Dehlvi has just come out with her book titled Sufism: The Heart of Islam, a tome that journeys back in time to take an in-depth look at a tradition that — despite its exhaustive heritage — is known to the masses for little more than its passionate musical strains. Covering “the remarkable lives of the early Sufis, their literature and philosophies,” the book throws light on the major Sufi orders in the subcontinent and how their popularity might have impacted the devotional aspects of Muslims for ages. “A refreshing look at Islam,” is how author Khushwant Singh, among Dehlvi’s closest friends, describes the title. Released in Delhi this week, the book is slated to be launched across the country soon. Dehlvi, who last hit the news when she was spotted riding a cycle rickshaw to save energy, is on a new track.

 

Art dekko

Some of the country’s top artists — S.H. Raza, Ramkumar, Krishen Khanna and Akbar Padamsee — will now be a bit more accessible to contemporary art lovers in Calcutta. The Mumbai-based Artiere, which conceptualises innovative art shows across India, has for the first time brought to Calcutta imprints of the best known art works of the Indian masters. Fine art prints of the masterpieces — for instance, Padamsee’s acclaimed series, Metascapes — have been crafted using high-end technology. The imprints, bearing the artist’s signature, will be available in limited editions. The price is high, but nowhere near the crores that the originals cost. And they’re just as beautiful.

Trophy girl

She is one actress who has more awards to her name than films. But Bollywood’s sexy siren Mallika Sherawat knows what it takes to gather citations. A few months ago she was awarded the Renaissance Artist Award in California. And now she is being bestowed with an ‘Arts Award’ in New York. The award is reportedly being given for her “unparalleled contribution to and influence with the Indian diaspora.” Last month we heard that the lady had a milkshake named after her in Hollywood. What next? An award for winning the most awards?

 

Fly, baby, fly

When it comes to pet issues, Nishabd star Jiah Khan takes wing. Taking a cue from John Abraham, Shilpa Shetty and Celina Jaitley, the Bollywood starlet has now joined hands with People for Ethical Treatment of Animals (Peta) in its campaign for safeguarding birds and animals. Khan, according to a new PETA newsletter, has appeared as a wounded bird wrapped in a kite string in one of its advertisements. The campaign, shot by ace photographer Farrokh Chothia, is intended to make people aware of the perils of kite flying with glass-coated strings. Let’s hope it gives Jiah’s career, so far non-existent, a soaring start.