Tough guy Akshaye Khanna

By Madhur Mittal

OF course Doli Saja Ke Rakhna was a rather damp squib — every one had expected a Priyadarshan offering to carry more clout. But the story, the characterisations and the overall flavour of the film... all turned out to be bland and unappetising, including the debut of Jyotika — South sizzler Naghma’s younger sister.

As for leading youngman Akshaye Khanna, this was his first brush with a near flop. Couldn’t have been a comfortable feeling at all. But then, he can console himself with the fact that his Kudrat is sure pulling the crowds. Not only does he have a better role that suits his basic assets as an actor ... he also has the saucy Urmila Matondkar on his arm!

Personally speaking, I feel that though dad, "Adonis" Vinod Khanna, could convincingly carry off very soft, sentimental portrayals as well as the tough ones, Akshaye must be given a heavier dose of action and macho moves to thrill cinegoers. Here’s hoping Akshaye and his script writers keep the mindset in future...

Bowled over!

Bollywood is finally getting bowled over — over bowling! Yeah, that’s right. With the opening of two city centres, the game of bowling has become the latest craze amongst film folk. And the stars — in their excitement to try out their arm — are falling over one another like nine pins!

Heading the bowling brigade are guys like Sanjay Dutt, Shah Rukh Khan, Saif Ali Khan, Salman Khan, Kanwaljeet Singh... and, not to be found lagging be-hind, macho Jackie Shroff, of course! The best part is that their wives frequently join in, even at the expense of spoiling their painted, manicured fingers.

I would advise Ajay Devgun to join the gang — bowling should be a very inconspicuous way letting off steam. But I would advise Sunil Shetty to please stay away: He’s likely to make the whole place come crashing down....!

Deol to direct?

Just what is it about directing a movie that unnerves so many (successful) stars? Ever since I can remember being a film scribe, almost every actor and actress has doled out a lofty quote about "wishing to be a director some day"!

And, now I learn that none other than the Jat Jr (Sunny Deol) is quite fed-up with his stalled ambition, as in London, and is busy getting an altogether new script readied which he will direct. Why this direction bug? I, for one, feel it’s rather directionless! After all, not every hero can be a versatile Kamal Haasan. Sunny bhai, why not simply keep the glares on and make mounds of megabucks while the ‘sun’ shines for you as a popular leading macho man.

Birthday boy Shatru

There was a time when star birthdays translated into big bashes.But, perhaps, that was until the extortionists took over Bollywood....! So, as of today, we have the celebrities of celluloid celebrating their VIP days in a select way — in a safe, personal place.

But then, Shotgun Sinha has always been different — a ‘show’-man next only to film-maker Subhash Ghai. A ‘grand tradition he insists upon maintaining to this day. He hosted an ostentatious party for his wedding anniversary sometime back and, just recently, on the birthday, he once more booked the entire Sheriff restaurant to blow out the candles of his (titanic) birthday cake!

The place became so very crammed with top stars that additional security had to be called for! Beaming (and booming) besides his missus and kids, Shri Shatrughan Sinha, MP, nevertheless saw to it that nobody actually got to counting the number of candles on the cake. "Arre bhai, it’s a teenager’s birthday, my friends! "Ho, ho ho!

Deepa Sahi

Everybody will agree that Deepa Sahi is one of the most talented and intense actresses we have in Bollywood. Whenever she has appeared on screen — whether it was Tamas, Hum, Maya Memsaab or Trinetra — Deepa has zapped viewers with her pithy performance. And yes, Aar Ya Paar was no different. Even in a spoof like O’ Darling Yeh Hai India, she was a delight as the whacky "Miss India" remember?

Well, one would axpect her to be serious and aloof in real life, right? But Deepa Sahi happens to be exactly the contrary endearingly so. In fact, she can quite be the life of a party — laughing herself and making others laugh, as well. And, this ravishing beauty has a beautiful knack of relating personal anecdotes (especially from her extensive travels from Leh to Los Angeles) with a terrific wit that has everyone in splits! Because she doesn’t hesitate to laugh at herself, either ...... some woman!